{
  "id": 9630313,
  "title": "N. Koreans mark Chuseok with ancestor rites, folk games",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/n-koreans-mark-chuseok-with-ancestor-rites-folk-games",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T21:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260923007400315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SEOUL, September 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korea observes Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving equivalent, by sharing meals with loved ones, honoring ancestors, and engaging in traditional games. However, unlike its South Korean counterpart, Chuseok lasts only a single day and does not involve the traffic congestion seen as millions of South Koreans return home. North Koreans are prohibited from traveling freely throughout the country. The holiday, known as Chosok or Harvest Moon Day, Hangawi, is celebrated by preparing food made from this year's new crop before visiting their ancestors' tombs, signifying the people's deep respect for their elders. Traditional dishes include a half-moon-shaped rice cake, and popular games such as wrestling, swinging, and tug of war are enjoyed on the day. In North Korea, where entertainment options are limited, ssireum, or Korean wrestling, remains a favorite pastime. A national ssireum tournament, held annually around Chuseok to crown the country's top ssireum athlete, was established in 2002 by Kim Jong-il, the father of current leader Kim Jong-un. This tournament was first officially announced on September 12 by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), which also reported that ssireum was designated as part of the national intangible cultural heritage in November 2013. Although Kim Il-sung, the founder of the regime, banned traditional holidays like Chuseok in 1967, deeming them \"feudal remnants,\" his son Kim Jong-il reinstated the holiday in 1988 as part of his efforts to preserve national culture. In 2015, North Korea officially recognized Chuseok customs as a national intangible cultural heritage.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korea celebrates Chuseok, the Korean equivalen...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}