Chapter 8: Koryo Dynasty

When the powerful warlord, Wang Kon, took over Silla and founded the Koryo Dynasty (935-1392 AD), he named the unified kingdom "Koryo," an abbreviation of Koguryo. The name Korea is derived from Koryo and the black belt poomse "Koryo" is named for the dynasty.

Wang Kon was well educated. He instituted many major reforms, such as redistribution of the land so that each farmer owned a piece, relieving the middle class of excessive taxes, universal education, and a rank system of authority based on merit. Wang Kon was skilled in Subak and he actively supported Buddhism, which was still very prominent in Korea. Buddhism was a religious philosophy at odds with the taking of life. The official promotion of this type of belief caused the common people to lose interest in the practice of martial arts.

Meanwhile, only deep within the confines of the palace, the secret techniques of an esoteric and highly developed martial art were practiced in private. This marked the beginning of the Koong-Joong Mu-Sol (Royal Court Martial Arts), which were kept out of the reach of the common people. However, these Royal Court Martial Arts were not something which were suddenly created to fit new circumstances. Rather, they were an integration of ancient martial arts methods that had been handed down for countless generations.