Ssireum is the traditional Korean wrestling sport associated with Chuseok competitions.
Two competitors wrestle on sand while gripping the other person’s satba, a cloth belt worn around the waist and thigh. The winner brings the opponent’s body above the knee to the ground. Ssireum emphasizes balance, leverage, timing, and controlled strength rather than striking.
Festive ssireum contests have long been connected with major Korean holidays, including Chuseok. Historically, community competitions could attract spectators and offer prizes, making the sport part of public seasonal celebrations as well as a test of athletic ability.
Ssireum is distinct from taekwondo, which is a striking and kicking martial art, and from taekkyeon, another traditional Korean martial art. UNESCO inscribed ssireum on its intangible cultural heritage list in 2018, jointly for North and South Korea.