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The Korean Bow ( hanja: 弓]], or horn bow) is a water buffalo horn-based composite bow reflex bow, standardized centuries ago from a variety of similar weapons in earlier use. Due to its long use by Koreans, it is also known as Guk Gung ( hanja: 弓]], or national bow). The Korean bow utilizes a Bow draw and therefore employing the use of a thumb ring is quite common. The Korean thumb ring is somewhat different from the Manchu, Mongol, or the Turkic peoples thumb rings, as it comes in two styles, male and female. Male thumb rings are shaped with a small protrusion that sticks out that the bowstring hooks behind (similar to a release aid), while the female thumb ring simply covers the front joint of the thumb as protection from getting (pulling heavy bows repetitively with only the thumb can easily cause blisters to form on the pad of the thumb).
Gungsul, , sometimes also romanized as goong sool, literally means "techniques of the bow", "Tao of the bow", or "skill with the bow". It is also referred to as Korean archery. However, goong sool is not a desirable expression. Gungdo, , is another epithet for traditional Korean archery, as used by Koreans.
Yi Sŏng-gye, the founding king of Joseon was known to have been a master archer. In a battle against Japanese pirates, Sŏng-gye, assisted by Yi Bangsil, killed the young samurai commander "Agibaldo" with two successive arrows, one arrow knocking out his helmet, with the second arrow entering his mouth. In his letter to General Ch'oe Yŏng, Sŏng-gye lists as one of five reasons not to invade Ming China as during the monsoon season, glue holding together the composite bow weakens, reducing the effectiveness of the bow.
The founding of Joseon dynasty saw the retention of the composite bow as the mainstay of the Joseon military. Archery was the main martial event tested during the military portion of the Gwageo held annually from 1392 to 1894. Under Joseon, archery reached its zenith, resulting in the invention of pyeonjeon, which saw great service against the Japanese in 1592 and against the Manchus in early 1600s.
Until the Imjin wars, archery was the main long-range weapon system. During those wars, the tactical superiority of the matchlock-ignited arquebus became apparent, despite its slow rate of fire and susceptibility to wet weather.Korean Traditional Archery. Duvernay TA, Duvernay NY. Handong Global University, 2007 However, it was the gakgung, referred to as the "half bow" by the Japanese, that halted the Japanese at the Battle of Haengju as well as at the Battle of Ulsan. Although Joseon adopted the arquebus during the Imjin War, the gakgung retained its position of importance in the military until the Gabo Reform. Under King Hyojong's military reforms, an attempt was made to revive horse archery as a significant element of the military. It was also practiced for pleasure and for health, and many young males — including the king — and some females would spend their free time practicing it.
Tradition says that a noted general of the Joseon Dynasty settled in Yecheon about 300 years ago, and handed down his expertise and knowledge. "Today, it is estimated that bowyers from Yecheon and its environs produce approximately 70% of Korea's traditional horn composite bows ...Yecheon has produced numerous Olympic medalists and world champion archers". The city has the Jinho International Archery Field.Kopppedrayer, Kay. "A New International Traditional Archery Organization". TradArchers' World. Irma, WI: Tom Colstad. . Spring 2018. Pages 30-34.
The draw weights vary, but most are above twenty kilograms (approximately 44 pounds). A modern version is made of Laminated bow; for most competitions, either bow may be used, with carbon-fiber arrows, but for national competitions, only the composite bow and bamboo arrows may be used. Korean archers have also been very successful in Olympic and other competitions with more modern types of bow.
The sukgung, a kind of crossbow, and the Gak-gung are small but very powerful bows. A sukgung can shoot up to while a Gak-gung can shoot up to .
The art of constructing traditional Korean bows was designated an important Intangible Cultural Property in 1971.
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