Korean Martial Arts
Korean martial arts, encompassing both armed and unarmed fighting styles, boast a rich history deeply intertwined with the Korean peninsula's cultural heritage and social development. These practices, known collectively as mu術 (musul) or muye 무예 (muye), transcend mere physical training, emphasizing mental discipline, self-cultivation, and moral values (Allen, 2015).
Evolution and Historical Influences:
The origins of Korean martial arts can be traced back several centuries, with indications that certain practices were present during the prehistoric period (Wikipedia, 2023). Initial manifestations, such as subak—a style centred on wrestling—prospered during the Three Kingdoms era (1st century BCE – 7th century CE). Gradually, these martial arts developed under the impact of surrounding cultures, especially that of China. The advent of Buddhism during the Silla Dynasty (57 BCE – 935 CE) facilitated the incorporation of aspects of Chinese martial arts, culminating in the evolution of various styles, including taekkyeon, which is characterized by its focus on low kicks and agility (Wikipedia, 2023).
During the Joseon Dynasty, from 1392 to 1897, martial arts were mainly practised by the military and the nobility during relatively peaceful times.
Nevertheless, the emphasis was still on self-defence while designing Hwachae, a weapon that can shoot multiple arrows, which indicates the development of the skills of attack and defence. However, the most affecting blow came in the 20th century. The Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945 banned all forms of Korean cultural expression, including martial arts.
After its liberation, numerous styles were systematized under the aegis of taekwondo, which gained international recognition in the latter part of the century (Wikipedia, 2023).
Contemporary Korean martial disciplines:
Nowadays, Korean martial arts represent several styles; each of these styles has its characteristics:
Taekwondo: The powerful kicking in this Olympic sport goes hand in hand with dynamic motions imbued with strength by respect and self-discipline.
Hapkido: A self-defensive art that involves joint locks throwing, among other leverages, against an opponent. Tang Soo Do parallels Taekwondo because it combines powerful strikes and defence moves, often emphasizing forms. Ssireum is a form of traditional Korean wrestling concerned with grappling methodologies to try and throw down one's opponent on the ground.
Besides these few well-recognized styles, there are many other less famous but equally interesting practices, including Kuk Sool Won, a holistic system that encompasses a variety of fighting methods; Haidong Gumdo, or swordsmanship; and Teukgong Moosool, developed by South Korean special forces.
Cultural Tourism and International Relations:
Traditional Korean martial arts showcase their importance to cultural tourism. The global popularity of taekwondo has, for instance, sparked interest in Korean culture, leading to increased tourism in South Korea (Cynarski & Johnson, 2020). In addition, North Korea has attempted to capitalize on the appeal of martial arts by developing Taekwon-Do tourism to attract revenue and improve relations between nations (Cynarski & Johnson, 2020). However, North Korea has challenges due to political issues, such as travel restrictions and an aspect of tourism being seen as political propaganda activities, as explained by Cynarski & Johnson, 2020. The international spread of Korean martial arts also promotes culture and understanding. Training centres worldwide provide opportunities for people from all over the world to participate in studying Korean martial arts and develop a sense of community and respect for Korean culture in general. According to Rozenfeld (2021), this helps to promote values such as respect, persistence, and self-control that enhance positive cross-cultural interaction. Korean martial arts represent the complicated interaction in which history, tradition, and culture intermingle. The arts record the ups and downs of social and political life on the Korean peninsula. At the same time, the approach and engagement in them today promote cultural exchange, tourism, and understanding on an international level.
Allen, B. (2015). Striking beauty: A philosophical look at the Asian martial arts. Columbia University Press. https://doi.org/10.7312/alle17272
Cynarski, W. J., & Johnson, J. A. (2020). North Korea's emerging martial arts tourism: A Taekwon-Do case study. Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality, 14(4), 667–680. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCTHR-07-2019-0133
Wikipedia: Korean martial arts. (2023, November 19). Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_martial_arts
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