Korean martial arts

Korean martial arts (Korean: 무술 musul or 무예 muye or 무도 mudo) are fighting practices and methods that developed on the Korean Peninsula through its history, marked by frequent warfare and foreign invasions. They were later adapted for military training, self-defense, sport, cultural preservation, and personal development. They include both unarmed and armed disciplines and reflect a mix of indigenous traditions and outside influences, particularly from China and Japan.

Evidence of martial practices in Korea can be traced back to early history, including depictions of wrestling in Goguryeo tomb murals from the 4th to 6th centuries. During the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, martial skills were organized for military use, most notably in manuals such as the Muyedobotongji (1795).

Many modern Korean martial arts were formed or reorganized in the 20th century, particularly following the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910–1945). This period disrupted many indigenous martial traditions while also shaping modern training methods, terminology, and structures. As a result, the historical continuity of some systems remains debated.

Notable Korean martial arts include taekwondo, hapkido, ssireum, and taekkyon, while armed traditions include Korean archery (gungdo), swordsmanship (kumdo). In November 2011, taekkyon was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.