Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- January 12 is the first full moon day (January 15th of the lunar calendar).

The day is one of the folk holidays enjoyed by the Korean people.

From olden times, the Korean people held various ceremonial events reflecting their simple desire for the new year's fortune and rich harvest.

Typical of them are a game of hanging crops on a long pole and enjoying the full moon.

On the occasion of the day, there was a custom of composting fields early in the morning. It clearly shows the diligence of the Korean people.

On the evening of the day, people had pleasant talks, enjoying the full moon on a high mountain and a hill.

The first full moon day and custom of enjoying the full moon were registered as national intangible cultural heritages.

Special dishes of the day are boiled rice admixed with four other staple cereals, dishes made of nine kinds of dried edible herbs, etc.

Colorful folk games including kite-flying and a tug of war and sports activities revved up the festive mood.

The holiday enjoyed by the people every year is associated with the care of Chairman Kim Jong Il who saw to it that the Korean nation's excellent folk tradition and culture are glorified.

One day in February 2002, Kim Jong Il explained to the officials the origin of the above-said holiday and the peculiar national foods of the day, and next year, too, gave precious instructions to make the people enjoy the day with pleasure.

The Korean people are now enjoying the day as a folk holiday full of the spirit of the times, revolutionary optimism and noble emotion. -0-