Chapter 8: Koryo Dynasty

The position of military officials started to become powerful again around the time of In Jong (17th Koryo monarch, 1122-1146). It is recorded that such military men as Chong Chung-Bu (who led a successful military revolt against the government in 1170), carried out their exploits by using sang-yae (common arts). Over time, the martial arts techniques of the common people and of the regular military gradually disappeared as a result of the preferential treatment given civil officials, the general contempt for military officials, and a government leadership that was weakened by literary pursuits at the expense of martial arts development.

In the 4th year of the reign of Ye Jong (16th Koryo monarch, 1105-1122), the Kukchagam (National University) was established. Mu-hak (martial studies) was included among the seven curricula offered. However, it only increased the friction between civil officials and military officials and the mu-hak course ended up being one in name only. Thereafter, as the development of martial arts had been thus officially thwarted, the practice of martial arts by common people took on an aspect of secrecy, with techniques being handed down from father to son.

Although Taekkyon declined as a martial art, the Subakhui remained as folk games and they carried over into the next dynasty. Taekkyon survived as the only fighting system with a link to ancient Subak as it was carried into the Joseon Dynasty.