Korean Cannons

In this episode, we trace the evolution of Korean cannons from their early development in the Goryeo period through their widespread use in the Joseon era, exploring how the Chongtong family of gunpowder weapons emerged in the 14th century after the adoption of Chinese gunpowder knowledge and expanded into a versatile arsenal ranging from massive fortress cannons to portable handheld firearms, with standardized artillery models named after the Thousand Character Classic, specialized ammunition like iron-tipped arrows, and enduring battlefield relevance that reflected centuries of indigenous innovation and Korea’s strategic adaptation to foreign ballistic technologies.