Folding screens are used in decorating or covering something.

   They were invented in the period of the Three Kingdoms. There are various kinds of them; folding screens for daily use and ceremonies according to their uses, six-, eight-, ten- and twelve-fold screens according to their sizes and folds, those for a drawing room and inner room according to their location, and those with pictures, letters and embroideries according the contents of decoration.

   One February day in 1988, the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il learned about the layouts of a playground for international folk games to be used during the 13^th World Youth Festival. He said that it would be advisable to set up large folding screens showing the folk customs of our people at the back of the playground.

   In late July when he was told that the draft large folding screens were completed, he saw them on display in the People’s Palace of Culture.

   After examining them with satisfaction he said: The paintings are good. Foreigners would take a great interest in them. The scene of a traditional wedding ceremony is excellent.

   Early in September 1988, he gave an instruction again on selecting properly a location to display the large folding screens according to their sizes and characteristics.

   Under his wise leadership, the large 34-fold screens, 5m high, 2.5m wide and 85m long, were set up in the playground for international folk games on the open space of Nam Gate on Mt Taesong, stealing the limelight of foreign guests.

   The participants from abroad unanimously expressed their praise for and envy at the large folding screens: The large folding screens depict well the living customs of the Korean people. They help us fully understand that the folk traditions are being successfully carried forward and developed in the DPRK. We have toured many countries around the world but we have never seen such large, wonderful folding screens.