Martial arts have been practiced in Korea since the Goguryeo Dynasty, dating from 37 B.C. to 668 A.D. During the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, the practice of Korean martial arts forms was banned, but the Korean people carried their traditions during the occupation through previously published illustrated manuals in combination with practice of similar Japanese styles such as karate and daito ryu.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo became an Olympic sport in 2000, making it one of the most popular and most recognizable forms of martial arts in the world. The words translate to "the art of destroying with the foot and the hand," according to KoreaOrbit.com, an online resource for cultural and historical information about the country. The style, characterized by kicks and punches, was born from incorporating techniques in pre-occupation martial arts manuals with the Japanese practice of karate. The style offers a 10-level belt system similar to other martial arts.
Hapkido
Hapkido, which means "the art of coordinated power," was born from a melting pot of other martial arts forms, including aikido, judo, jujitsu and karate. Hapkido focuses on defensive techniques as opposed to attacking techniques. Unlike the standing kicks and punches of tae kwon do, Hapkido teaches many close-range grappling moves for practitioners to learn how to defend themselves from the ground, against multiple attackers or against various weapons.
Kumdo
The practice of Kumdo, dating back more than 1,500 years in Korea, focuses on the sword-fighting techniques for field combat, according to the United World Haedong Kumdo Federation. Unlike other sword forms of martial arts, Kumdo techniques involve using a sword against multiple opponents at the same time. Practitioners learn either a single-sword form or a double-sword form. The nine principles of Kumdo include managing the sword with caution, seeking unity between mind and sword, and respecting the teacher and the art.
Taekkyon
Taekkyon, the only one of the Korean martial arts traditions to be designated by the South Korean government as an "Important intangible cultural asset," is one of the oldest forms, practiced by the ruling classes as early as the sixth century. Taekkyon involves thrusts and leg attacks to try to bring your opponent to the ground. Combatants will often move quickly from one leg to the other in an attempt to avoid being taken down with kicks or swipes to their legs.
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