The Kwijin Temple nestles in a picturesque site halfway up Mt Sungdok in Songwol-ri, Sohung County, North Hwanghae Province.
According to historical records, the temple was built to honour the virtues of the Buddha and pursue truthfulness and straightforwardness.
The temple originally consisted of several buildings centred around the Kungnak Hall, but now there remain the Kungnak Hall, Juak Pavilion, Simgom Hall, stupa dedicated to Saint Jihye in Songgok Hall and the Monument to Kwijin Temple.
When it was built in the mid-12th century, it was called Songsuk Temple and renamed Kwijin Temple as it was expanded in the 16th century.
The Kungnak Hall, the main building of the temple, almost preserves its original magnificence as a gable-roofed structure.
With stone stairways in its base, the hall was built mostly with large building materials to give an imposing air.
The building is so brightly and colourfully painted that all the pillars and beams seem to be wrapped with beautiful silk cloth. Each of the four corners of the ceiling is decorated with a dragon head, and six sculptures of phoenix with its wings fully spread are between beams. The doors have open-worked patterns of lotus flower, chrysanthemum and peony.
The colourful paintings at the hall and various pictures on the beam walls showcase the contemporary pictorial art.
Originally, the temple housed over two thousand wooden blocks for printing Buddhist scriptures such as Ryonggamsugyong . They were remade in 1543 and seized by Japan in 1931 when it was militarily occupying Korea. They are part of the oldest wooden blocks that have been ever known in the world. Some of the remaining blocks are preserved in the Myohyangsan History Museum.
The temple is under good preservation as a valuable historical site.
Kim In Chol, section chief of the Archaeology Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences
More From Naenara (En)
The Ninth Congress of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) is due to be held in Pyongyang early in May 2026.
April 02, 2026
The Ninth Congress of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) is due to be held in Pyongyang early in May 2026.
In April 1971, a delegation of provincial governors of an African country visited the DPRK. When their visit was almost over,
April 02, 2026
In April 1971, a delegation of provincial governors of an African country visited the DPRK. When their visit was almost over,
The Russian TASS delegation led by Director General Andrei Kondrashov left Pyongyang for home on March 31. The delegation was seen
April 02, 2026
The Russian TASS delegation led by Director General Andrei Kondrashov left Pyongyang for home on March 31. The delegation was seen
On the occasion of the school-opening day, the respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un sent Haebaragi(sunflower)-brand school
April 02, 2026
On the occasion of the school-opening day, the respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un sent Haebaragi(sunflower)-brand school
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a reply
April 01, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a reply
A Russian TASS delegation led by Director General Andrei Kondrashov visited Mangyongdae, the birthplace of President Kim Il Sung .
April 01, 2026
A Russian TASS delegation led by Director General Andrei Kondrashov visited Mangyongdae, the birthplace of President Kim Il Sung .
Gourd-shaped pots unearthed in Misong-ri, Uiju County, North Phyongan Province, are typical relics dating back to Ancient Joson
April 01, 2026
Gourd-shaped pots unearthed in Misong-ri, Uiju County, North Phyongan Province, are typical relics dating back to Ancient Joson
Jo Yong Won, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, met a Russian TASS delegation led
April 01, 2026
Jo Yong Won, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, met a Russian TASS delegation led
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, met a Russian TASS delegation led by Director
April 01, 2026
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, met a Russian TASS delegation led by Director
The DPRK abounds in mineral water resources, especially hot springs. Hot springs effective in improving health and medical
April 01, 2026
The DPRK abounds in mineral water resources, especially hot springs. Hot springs effective in improving health and medical
The chemical industry bases across the country are building up their fertilizer production capacities to increase the output. At
March 31, 2026
The chemical industry bases across the country are building up their fertilizer production capacities to increase the output. At
Mindulle-brand products designed for intellectual development are drawing the interests of students and their parents. “We got
March 31, 2026
Mindulle-brand products designed for intellectual development are drawing the interests of students and their parents. “We got
The Mangyongdae District Rural Economy Committee of Pyongyang Municipality gives effective scientific guidance to the farming
March 31, 2026
The Mangyongdae District Rural Economy Committee of Pyongyang Municipality gives effective scientific guidance to the farming
Kim Chol Ju University of Education excels in IT education in the sector of teacher training. This is proved by the excellent
March 31, 2026
Kim Chol Ju University of Education excels in IT education in the sector of teacher training. This is proved by the excellent
The students of the junior course at Moranbong Middle School No. 1 excelled at the national robot contest of schools in the
March 31, 2026
The students of the junior course at Moranbong Middle School No. 1 excelled at the national robot contest of schools in the
In the DPRK mass sports games take place on a regular basis. The contest of public health workers is one of them. Ryugyong Dental
March 31, 2026
In the DPRK mass sports games take place on a regular basis. The contest of public health workers is one of them. Ryugyong Dental
A Russian TASS delegation led by Director General Andrei Kondrashov visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on March 29 to pay high
March 31, 2026
A Russian TASS delegation led by Director General Andrei Kondrashov visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on March 29 to pay high
One late night in August 2018 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un oversaw the pilot run of a new-type trolley bus to be used for pub
March 30, 2026
One late night in August 2018 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un oversaw the pilot run of a new-type trolley bus to be used for pub
A group of scientists at the Academy of Agricultural Science has developed a new biodegradable paper which proves effective in
March 30, 2026
A group of scientists at the Academy of Agricultural Science has developed a new biodegradable paper which proves effective in
The Jungphyong Greenhouse Farm makes contributions to improving the dietary life of the people by increasing the production of
March 30, 2026
The Jungphyong Greenhouse Farm makes contributions to improving the dietary life of the people by increasing the production of
More Articles
