'Ssireum' to become intangible cultural asset

Ssireum, or traditional Korean wrestling, fighters are seen in this file photo. / Korea Times file

By Kwon Mee-yoo

"Ssireum," or traditional Korean wrestling, will be designated as an intangible cultural asset.

The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) announced Monday that after deliberation by the committee on intangible cultural assets, the Korean traditional sport will become a national intangible cultural property.

Ssireum is a type of Korean martial art focusing on grappling. Each contestant wears a belt named a "satba" and the opponents lock onto each other's belts. The one who brings any part of the opponent's body above the knee to the ground wins the match.

The history of the Korean folk wrestling dates back to the Three-Kingdoms Era (57 B.C.-668) as described in a tomb mural from the Goguryeo Kingdom.

The CHA said the history of ssireum was passed down in documents, paintings and other artifacts from ancient Korea to modern times, and the rules and techniques are unique to the Korean martial art, which backs its value as the intangible cultural asset.

Since ssireum was shared and succeeded universally across the nation, no specific holder or organization of the technique will be recognized just as "Arirang" is, the lyrical folk song of Korea.

The Korea Ssireum Association submitted an application to register ssireum on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in June 2016.