Korean martial arts, also known as Kwon Bup, are a traditional form of combat and self-defense that have a long history in Korean culture. The origins of Korean martial arts can be traced back to ancient times, when they were developed by the military and nobility of the Korean kingdoms.
One of the oldest and most popular forms of Korean martial arts is Taekwondo, which originated in the 1940s and 1950s. It combines elements of traditional martial arts with sport-like training and competition. Taekwondo is characterized by its emphasis on powerful, striking techniques, and the use of the feet and hands for kicks and strikes.
Another popular form of Korean martial arts is Hapkido, which is known for its joint locks, throws, and pressure point attacks. It also features circular movements that are designed to neutralize an opponent’s attacks, rather than meeting them head-on.
Kuk Sool Won is another traditional Korean martial arts, it’s a comprehensive system that includes techniques from various traditional Korean martial arts, as well as elements of other martial arts such as Judo, Aikido, and Kung Fu. It is characterized by its use of joint locks, pressure point attacks, throws, and traditional weapons such as the sword, staff, and spear.
Other forms of traditional Korean martial arts include Gumdo, which is the practice of sword fighting, and Ssireum, which is a traditional Korean style of wrestling.
In addition to traditional martial arts, the development and evolution of Korean martial arts has been influenced by the cultural and historical exchange with other countries, specially China and Japan.
Overall, Korean martial arts are characterized by their emphasis on power, speed, and agility, and the integration of both hard and soft techniques. Many forms of Korean martial arts have grown in popularity around the world, and they are known for their powerful strikes, joint locks and throws, pressure point attacks and traditional weapons.