Korean ssireum festival held in Andong

Ssireum is among the oldest surviving sports in Korea. (Photo: AFP)

In a photo taken on November 19, 2018 ssireum wrestlers compete during the Korea Open Ssireum Festival in Andong. Despite their vast differences, the democratic South and the communist North share the same language, culture and traditions dating back thousands of years, resulting in subtle rivalry for UNESCO inscriptions in recent years. (Photo: AFP)

In a photo taken on November 19, 2018 ssireum wrestlers prepare to compete during the Korea Open Ssireum Festival in Andong. North and South Korea have long grappled over their joint symbols at the United Nations culture organisation UNESCO, but they could share the honours this week when twin applications for traditional Korean wrestling come up for consideration. (Photo: AFP)

In a photo taken on November 19, 2018 ssireum wrestlers compete during the 80kg qualifying round of the Korea Open Ssireum Festival in Andong. Ssireum is among the oldest surviving sports in Korea, with fourth century murals from the Goguryeo dynasty depicting men grappling with each other in the traditional game. (Photo: AFP)

In a photo taken on November 19, 2018 ssireum wrestlers compete in the 80kg qualifying round during the Korea Open Ssireum Festival in Andong. A ssireum match has some similarities to Japanese sumo but begins with two wrestlers facing each other on their knees in a sandpit ring, holding onto a cloth sash tied around the waist and using their strength and technique to knock the opponent to the ground. (Photo: AFP)

In a photo taken on November 19, 2018 foreign wrestlers weigh-in prior to a workshop to learn the rules of 'ssireum', during the Korea Open Ssireum Festival in Andong. The sport has been part of village festivals for centuries and nationwide competitions are still held every Chuseok - the Korean harvest festival - on either side of the border. (Photo: AFP)

In a photo taken on November 19, 2018 wrestlers from Russia learn the rules of 'ssireum' during a workshop for foreigners during the Korea Open Ssireum Festival in Andong. Ssireum thrived in the mid-1980s under authoritarian president Chun Doo-hwan, who sought to stabilize political unrest by diverting public attention with sports. (Photo: AFP)

In a photo taken on November 19, 2018 ssireum wrestlers compete during the Korea Open Ssireum Festival in Andong. (Photo: AFP)