Korean martial arts
Fighting practices developed during the defence of the Korean peninsula
무술 · 무예 · 무도 · 朝鮮武術
- Country of origin
- Korea
- Type
- 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).
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q1757243 (CC0); quoted introduction from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.