About Us

The Leading Institution for Promoting Korean Traditional Martial Arts Worldwide

We are the central organization dedicated to inheriting the roots of Korean traditional martial arts and promoting their value globally through modern significance and international communication.

Based on the Muye Dobo Tongji (a UNESCO Memory of the World) and its 24 martial disciplines, we systematically restore and disseminate traditional martial arts. Our activities include education and cultural exchange both in Korea and abroad.

Through continuous research, education, and international networks, we strive to share the history and philosophy of Korean martial arts and ensure that future generations can carry them forward.

Our mission goes beyond teaching martial techniques—it is about embedding the spirit and beauty of Korean traditional culture into the world.

Message from the President

Greetings,

I am Kim Dae-yang, CEO of the Korea 24-Ban Martial Arts Promotion Association.

Our association was established in 2006, based on my experience as both the inheritor and head of the Kyungdang martial arts tradition. Since then, we have led efforts to restore, transmit, and promote the 24 martial disciplines recorded in the Muye Dobo Tongji, which was inscribed in 2017 on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

Korean traditional martial arts go beyond technical skill—they embody the spirit of Goguryeo’s Kyungdang by nurturing well-rounded individuals of both learning (mun) and martial strength (mu). The 24 martial disciplines reflect the Korean people’s spirit of independence and progress, and our mission is to inherit and adapt them to modern society.

As a bridge between tradition and modernity, the Korea 24-Ban Martial Arts Promotion Association offers accessible educational programs for all, spreading the value of traditional martial culture. Through diverse cultural exchanges and collaborations both domestically and internationally, we are committed to globalizing Korean martial arts and ensuring they become cherished cultural assets worldwide.

Thank you.

Kim Dae-yang
CEO, Korea 24-Ban Martial Arts Cultural Promotion Association

Profile of Representative Kim Dae-yang

Entered National Training Hall Kyungdang (1992)
Former Master and Head Instructor at Kyungdang dojangs in Busan, Gwangju, Ilsan, Seoul, and Chungju
Former Director, Suwon Secretariat, and Seoul Kyungdang Representative
Former Secretary-General, Board Member, and Training Director of the Korea 24 Martial Arts Kyungdang Association
Former Representative of the National Training Hall Kyungdang (2006)
Former Representative of the Korea 24 Martial Arts Cultural Promotion Association (2016)
Current Representative of the Korea 24 Martial Arts Cultural Promotion Association (2024–Present)

History and Spirit

The Association traces its origins back to 1989 when the late Lim Dong-gyu founded the national training hall Gyeongdang in Jisan-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju.
After dedicating himself to the democratization movement, Master Im devoted his efforts to practicing the philosophy embedded in traditional martial arts.

Carrying on his vision, the Korea 24 Martial Arts Cultural Promotion Association has inherited the self-reliant, resilient, and progressive spirit of the Goguryeo Kyungdang and the philosophy of combining scholarship and martial arts from the Joseon scholar-warriors, with a focus on preserving and promoting the 24 Martial Arts.

Vision and Activities

Our Association goes beyond simple training and demonstrations. We embody the philosophy of traditional martial arts and martial arts humanities in practice, seeking to extend this heritage from our nation to the world.

Through the gestures of traditional mask dance, handed down for generations, and the spirit of Damul (the will to recover lost land), we strive to restore the correct historical narrative and express living history and culture through uniquely Korean movements.

We actively promote the globalization of Korean traditional martial arts through diverse cultural exchanges and collaborations at home and abroad. Our goal is to ensure that Korean martial arts are established as a cherished cultural asset, loved worldwide.

Martial Arts Composition

The 24 Martial Disciplines encompass not only the arts of Joseon Korea but also those of Ming China and Japan at the time. They are divided into 18 infantry (ground) disciplines and 6 cavalry (mounted) disciplines. Each was developed based on battlefield effectiveness and strategy, and today they are carried forward as traditional martial arts.

Infantry (Ground) Martial Arts – 18 Types

These close-combat techniques emphasize a balance between offense and defense. Representative disciplines include:
Bongukgeom (Native Sword), Jedokgeom (Commander’s Sabre), Ssangsudo (Two-Handed Sword), Yedo (Sharp Sabre), Waegom (Japanese Sword), Gyojeon (Combat Fencing), Gichang (Long Spear), Gonbang (Staff), Pyeongon (Flail), Ssanggeom (Twin Swords), Woldo (Crescent Sword), Hyeopdo (Halberd), Gwonbeop (Unarmed Combat), Dangpa (Trident), Deungpae (Shield), Jangchang (Long Spear), Jukjangchang (Bamboo Spear), and Nangseon (Multi-Tipped Spear).

Cavalry (Mounted) Martial Arts – 6 Types

These high-level combat techniques are performed on horseback, making use of the horse’s speed and agility for effective attack and defense. Representative disciplines include:
Masang Woldo (Mounted Crescent Sword), Masang Gichang (Mounted Spear), Masang Ssanggeom (Mounted Twin Swords), Masang Pyeongon (Mounted Flail), Masangjae (Horsemanship Acrobatics), and Gyeokgu (Polo-like Martial Game).

Martial Arts Practiced at the Association

To preserve and promote traditional martial arts, the following disciplines are taught and practiced:

Archery (Gung-sul)
Traditional Korean archery that emphasizes precise aim and concentration. It includes both ground and mounted archery, regarded as one of the foundational and essential martial skills of a warrior.

Sword Dance (Geommu)
A ceremonial and performance art that blends martial sword techniques with aesthetics. Through graceful yet disciplined movements, it embodies the spirit and beauty of martial arts.

Cutting Practice (Beggi)
A core training method in practical weapon use, where swords are used to cut targets with precision, speed, and power. More than raw strength, it requires correct posture, focus, breathing, and control, serving as a key test of a warrior’s depth of training.

Philosophy and Purpose

The Muye 24-Ban Cultural Promotion Association is founded on the martial spirit of the Goguryeo Gyeongdang and the philosophy of Hongik Ingan (“to broadly benefit humankind”). Its mission is to preserve, develop, and promote traditional Korean martial arts while sharing their value with the world.

In particular, the Association restores and systematically trains and disseminates the 24 martial arts recorded in the Muye Dobo Tongji along with other traditional martial practices of our nation. Our vision goes beyond treating these arts as relics of the past—we aim to establish them as living martial practices and everyday sports, accessible for all people to learn, enjoy, and embody in daily life.

More than a training institution, we seek to educate in history and culture, nurturing a spirit of independence, resilience, and progress through the martial way. Furthermore, we are committed to sharing Korean traditional martial arts with the international community, developing them into a cultural heritage firmly rooted worldwide.

Our Objectives

To preserve and develop traditional martial arts, promoting them as everyday sports that enhance public health and quality of life.
To research and practice the 24 martial arts of the Muye Dobo Tongji and other traditional martial disciplines, and to share their historical value globally.
To educate on correct history and culture, fostering national spirit and strengthening pride in heritage.
To cultivate well-rounded individuals, especially youth, who embody both knowledge and martial virtue, with a sense of social responsibility and community.
To globalize Korean traditional martial arts through international performances, academic exchanges, and educational programs.

Respect

We practice the true spirit of martial arts based on mutual respect among martial artists.

Harmony

In all our efforts, we strive to achieve harmony of body, mind, and spirit.

Commitment to
Continuous Growth

We are dedicated to ongoing improvement and lifelong learning.

Major Milestones

1989｜National Training Hall Gyeongdang founded by Master Lim Dong-gyu
2000｜Reenactment of the 24 Martial Arts and Military Service Exams at the Seoul Four Gates Cultural Festival
2007｜Reenactment of Joseon-era Military Service Examination
2009｜Performance of the 24 Martial Arts at the Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival’s Royal Court Fashion Show
2009｜Demonstration at Gwacheon National Equestrian Sports Competition (Mal Sarang National Sports Festival)
2009｜Participation in KBS History Special: “Why Did Yeon Gaesomun Send an Envoy to the Turks?”
2015｜29th Hwangsan Battle Reenactment Performance
2017｜36th Geumsan Ginseng Festival – Imjin War Geumsan Battle Martial Arts Play
2018｜Participation in Global Martial Arts Cultural Festival Demonstration
2021｜Selected for Gyeonggi Northwest Region Non-Regular Workers’ Club Support Project, held martial arts lectures
2022｜Seoul National Martial Arts Grand Festival – Gyeongdang 24 Martial Arts Demonstration
2023｜1st International Intercultural Exchange Festival – Traditional Martial Arts Performance at K-STAR Contest
2024｜Incorporation Ceremony & Vision Proclamation of the Korea 24 Martial Arts Cultural Promotion Association
2024｜70th Baekje Cultural Festival – Baekje Royal Palace Martial Arts Performance
2025｜Regular 24 Martial Arts Performance (8 times) by Korea Ssaulabi Martial Arts Troupe
2025｜Participation in Seoul–Kazakhstan K-Culture On the Silk Road Event

Organization Chart

CEO

The overall head of the Korea 24-Ban Martial Arts Cultural Promotion Association, responsible for overall management and strategic direction.

Representative Director: Kim Dae-yang

Board of Directors

An advisory and supervisory body that determines the Institute’s key policies and direction.

Board Members: Kim Dae-yang, Park Hee-jung, Yoon Ja-kyung, Kim Gyu-cheol, Kim Beom-soo

Secretariat

Handles the practical operations of the Institute and oversees each department.
Secretary General: Coordinates among departments and manages overall operations.

Planning & PR Division

Promotion and Event Planning
Promotion Team: Produces promotional materials related to traditional martial arts and manages media.
Planning Team: Plans and operates events and martial arts education programs.

Education & Research Division

Responsible for developing and operating martial arts education programs and conducting research.
Education Team: Designs martial arts curricula, manages classes, and issues certifications.
Research Team: Conducts restoration studies of the 24 Martial Arts, researches martial arts history, and discovers related resources.

International Exchange Division

Handles overseas activities and international martial arts exchange programs.
International Cooperation Team: Promotes exchange and collaboration with overseas institutions and organizations.
Event Team: Plans and executes international events, overseas performances, and workshops.
Head of International Exchange Division: Choi Du Sun

Operations Support Division

Responsible for operational support, financial management, and administrative tasks.

Finance Team: Manages finances and accounting.
Administration Team: Handles HR, document management, and donor management.

Sponsorship & Partnership Division

Manages relationships with sponsors and partner organizations, and plans/operates sponsorship programs.

Sponsorship Management Team: Manages sponsors and sponsorship funds.
Partnership Planning Team: Operates and manages joint projects with partner organizations.

Contact Us / Location

Korea 24-Ban Martial Arts Cultural Promotion Association
4F, 36 Nonhyeon-ro 38-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Dogok-dong)
Postal Code: 06296

Phone: +82-10-5112-0124

Email: info@muye24ban.com