At that time, the martial spirit had dominated the whole kingdom and played a great role in strengthening its military muscle.

Koguryo people made horse-riding, archery, running, swordsmanship, ssirum (Korean wrestling), subak (a Korean style of martial art using mainly hands), etc. as part of their daily life from their childhood.

Their folk amusements and games were also closely associated with martial arts, which can be well evidenced by Samguksagi (Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms) and tomb murals of Koguryo including the mausoleum of Kogukwon (331-371), the 21st king of Koguryo, and Tokhung-ri tomb.

In the period of Koguryo, anyone was estimated and promoted by his martial art, so that the hunting competition in every spring served as an important occasion to appoint winners as government officials.

The martial spirit of Koguryo people had been fully displayed in their struggle to defend the country for a long time.