South Korean Special Forces Sword Fight

Martial arts has a long and historic connection to those that live on the Asian peninsula. 

Dating back to prehistoric times, martial arts in military or non-military form has punctuated all sorts of Korean culture, with the discipline of Teukgong Moosool (TGMS) most prevelant in the Korean armed forces.

The short video below showcases some of the skills used by what presumably are members of the ROK Special Forces.

Very little is known of the video's origin and who the personnel were involved in the demonstration.

For more close quarters combat with a British flavour, click here.

Hand-held weapons make up a key component of TGMS. Examples of weapons used include Nun Chakau, Knives, Swords, Staff, short-Staff and firearm.

Schools of swordsmanship in the country revolve around 26 different disciplines or methods detailed in the Muyedobotongji.

The book, which title translates as the 'Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts', identifies the methods for using a sword through the recombination of basic body movements, cuts and thrusts.

Every method is assigned a poetic name intended to embody the nature of the approach.

Of those 26 methods listed in the Muyedobotongji, Forces TV has picked 10 favourites (based on their english translation, rather than any intimate knowledge of the discipline itself):

• Method 3: Jinjun Kyuk Jukse (“Advance Forward to Attack the Thief”)
• Method 4: Gumkye Doklipse (“Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg”)
• Method 7: Maeng Ho Unlinse (“Wild Tiger Hides in the Forest”)
• Method 8: An Jase (“Wild Goose Character”)
• Method 9: Jikbu Songsuse (“Jik-boo sends a scroll”)
• Method 10: Balcho Shimase ( “Parting the Grass, Searching for the Snake”)
• Method 11: Pyo Doo Ab Jung Se (“Press the Leopards Forehead”)
• Method 20: Jang Kyo Boon Soo Se (“Long Dragon Spouts Water”)
• Method 21: Balk Won Chool Dong Se (“White Ape Leaves the Cave")
• Method 25: Hyang Jun Sal Juk Se (“Face front and kill the enemy")

More: North Korea's Mesmerising State Television

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