Badminton boom takes off among North Korean high school students
A badminton boom is sweeping North Korean high schools in 2026, as Musan county teenagers turn parks into free courts. Rackets and shuttlecocks once cost too much for most young people to take up the sport. Students now see badminton as a game anyone can play almost anywhere once they have the gear. “Usually one […]
Musan county in North Korea has witnessed a badminton boom among high school students in 2026, as the sport has become a more affordable option than traditional table tennis. Students can play badminton for free in parks or empty lots, while table tennis rooms charge between 5,000 to 15,000 North Korean won per hour. The county cultural hall's table tennis rooms are particularly expensive, with private leisure businesses charging similar rates.
Due to the low cost, badminton has become an accessible sport for students from poorer families. Girls playing badminton are also influenced by fashion trends, often wearing tight-fitting athletic wear and caps. The growing popularity of badminton has led to the emergence of a secondhand racket trade, helping students from lower-income families acquire equipment at a reasonable cost.
Written by urgent.news from Daily NK's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
