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Introduce
Numerous topics related to Korean culture and art are mentioned in middle and high school national history textbooks, but most of them are briefly described by era, making it difficult to understand their concepts, transition processes, and characteristics.
<Culture & Art Stories from Korean History> produces and provides video materials based on expert commentary on the flow, change process, characteristics and characteristics of each major topic in the field of culture and art in Korean history.
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Scenario

Man’s Dream to Go to Space Leads to the Rocket!
But the principles followed today in launching rockets and missiles appear very similar to those of ballistic weaponry from hundreds of years ago.
How advanced were the ballistic weapons of premodern Korea?

History of the Development of Early Joseon Ballistic Weapons

Gunpowder is an explosive material first invented in China.
At the end of the Goryeo period, Choe Museon discovered the secret method for making gunpowder, and once the Hwatong dogam was established, began the production of ballistic weapons and firearms. Most of the weapons made during this time were large in size. Only their names survive today.

A ballistics bureau was established, and gunpowder was eventually manufactured according to Choe Museon’s teachings. The cannons were the daejanggunpo, ijanggunpo, samjanggunpo, and yukhwaseokpo (…) - Veritable Records of King Taejo, April 19, 1395 (Year 4 of King Taejo)

The period when the design of Korean ballistic weaponry really improved was the Joseon Dynasty. King Sejong actively pursued the development of various gunpowder weapons and the advancement of ballistic performance. Among them, the invention of the ilbaldajeonbeop is the most remarkable.
With this new development, the chongtong cannon was now capable of firing multiple rounds simultaneously, increasing the firepower of a weapon in a fight.
Another weapon, small and light enough to be handled by a child, was soon developed. The sejongtong was an easy weapon to handle during ground combat.

Another of King Sejong’s inventions was the singijeon, which was an upgraded version of the Goryeo fire arrow called the juhwa.
Once combined with the hwacha developed by King Munjong, the singijeon became an independent firearm.

They loaded the hwacha with 100 medium-sized singijeon or 50 sajeon chongtong and then lit their fuses. One after another, the rounds would fire off. - Veritable Records of King Munjong, February 13, 1451 (Year 1 of King Munjong)

King Munjong’s hwacha could carry 100 medium-sized singijeon or 50 sajeon chongtong. Since it could fire off rounds simultaneously or in rapid succession, it is considered to have been a very menacing piece of weaponry.

Principles and Technology Behind Ballistic Weapons

Traditional ballistic weapons were divided into two types: chongtong and wangu. Chongtong weapons mostly used arrows or metal bullets and were fired at low angles. Wangu weapons fired spherical objects at a high angle.

The main weapon of the Joseon Dynasty, the chongtong, was composed of three parts-the mobyeong, yaksil, and posin. The mobyeong referred to the wooden portion that one grasped to hold on to the chongtong. The yaksil is the part where the gunpowder and the slowmatch were packed.
The posin is the section where the projectile is placed. It is also where the gyeongmoktong is placed in the gyeongmok and togyeok to increase the momentum of the projectile.

We’ve learned how the chongtong was fired through a military text called the Singibigyeol compiled in the mid-Joseon Dynasty.
First, the gun is cleaned and prepared, then through the fuse hole of the yaksil, a slowmatch is inserted. After that, first the gunpowder, then a paper wad, and finally the gyeongmok are loaded through the barrel.
Use a rammer to pack in the gunpowder and gyeongmok. Afterward, if you are planning to use lead balls, put in a few mixed with dirt and pack them in well. Once you have done all this, light the slowmatch to fire the weapon.
This complex method of arming a cannon was composed as a song and included in the Singi bigyeol.

The singijeon was Korea’s main traditional weapon and the culmination of all scientific knowledge available at that time. If you ignite the gunpowder in the container portion of the weapon, combustion is created behind it and sends the fuselage flying.
Modern missiles work on these same principles.

The location of the stabilization rod, wings, and gunpowder container were so carefully calculated that singijeon arrows maintain their balance in flight. The unit of measurement used at that time was sophisticated, corresponding to 0.3mm.
The hwacha was a feat of scientific ingenuity, able to fire 100 singijeon when set at the optimal firing angle.

Ballistic Weapons Used During the Imjin Wars

In April of 1592, Japan launched a large-scale invasion of Joseon.

We continuously fired the chongtong and arrows rained down upon them. The enemy’s boats reached the shore and soldiers jumped on to the sand, fleeing as four boats burned to ashes. - Veritable Records of King Seonjo, June 28, 1592 (Year 25 of King Seonjo)

During such a dire situation, what changed the outcome of the war were the weapons developed and improved upon during the early Joseon period.
A new ballistic weapon arrived during the Imjin Wars. This was the bigyeok jincheolloe!
First, put bits of metal shrapnel called bingcheol inside the bigyeok jincheolloe, then push a stick of bamboo into it. Then within the bamboo insert a wooden dowel called a mokgok, with a fuse wound around it. Finally, load in some dirt and gunpowder, and you are ready to fire away. It would then be placed inside the artillery weapon called the wangu, ignited, and fired off. It was designed to detonate as soon as it reached the enemy.

Recently, in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do, 11 bigyeok jincheolloe were discovered. A shell casing was found for the first time as well.
The bigyeokjincheolloe was called the “ghost bomb” by the Japanese army as they had no idea it was a bomb until it exploded and fatally injured many.
Yet, did Koreans not use personal firearms during the Imjin Wars?

Prior to the Imjin Wars, the seungja chongtong was invented and used as a personal firearm by Korean soldiers. They were used during the siege of Haengju. The seungja chongtong primarily used metal bullets, which could travel long distances and were very destructive.

The enemy’s strength is only in the jochong. Is there nothing that can stop it? - Veritable Records of King Seonjo, November 2, 1593 (Year 26 of King Seonjo)

But they were no match against the Japanese jochong.
The jochong had iron sights, which allowed for more precise aiming. The matchlock method of firing also allowed for a more timed shot. Joseon quickly began and successfully completed the development of the jochong. The firearms were tested out by Joseon’s Hullyeon dogam (Military Training Command) before being distributed nationwide.
After the Imjin Wars, Joseon continued to improve the performance and production of the jochong. By the late Joseon period, it was the country’s representative weapon.

Ballistic weapons, developed by us to save our country!
Our unique and ingenious ballistic weapons were created using cutting-edge scientific technology. Their power can be witnessed during both major and minor battles of the Imjin Wars.

[Epilogue]
Must-Know Facts on Culture and Art in Korean History

1. The Hwatongdogam initiated the study of ballistics during the Goryeo Dynasty, while King Sejong of Joseon greatly furthered its development.
2. The singijeon was combined with the hwacha made by King Munjong to create an even more destructive weapon.
3. The time of detonation of the bigyeokjincheolloe of the Joseon Dynasty could be controlled according to the number of times its fuse was wound.

Ballistic Weapons