Koryo Gumdo is a Korean style sword martial art, whose methods practice today comes as a result of evolution. Korean Gumdo has established itself through the adoption of many philosophies methodology that existed in Korea and countries that surround Korea over the last 2,000 years. Martial arts techniques were initially practiced as a means of protection from attacks by wild animals. Ancient art works, dating to 50 B.C., have been found in Korea show the earliest records of open hand and armed combat.

In Korea, the martial arts is thought to have developed as a result of internal conflicts and repeated attacks from neighboring countries of China and Japan. In an attempt to unite and stop foreign invaders, the various tribes formed alliances, which ultimately resulted in the development of the Three kingdoms Silla, Kokuryu, and Paekche this time was known as the Koryo Dynasty. The military of these three kingdoms formed academies to teach and train their soldiers and officers. Each kingdom had a system of warrior. In the kingdom of Kokuryu, warriors trained and were known as Samurang (The Way of the Warrior) or Ssabori. It was in Silla where the Haw Rang Do (The Flowering Youth) was formed, and the group Chulgi (The Iron Horse) came from the kingdom of Paekche.

These warrior groups had strict codes of honor for the purpose of honor, king, and country. So through their training they would discipline their mind and body. Cultivate their physical strength to develop a strong spirit. Their goal was to develop ultimate abilities and to be revered as a positive influence to their society.

With this philosophy in mind, they would gain power and strength for quickness, and agility and develop their skill with and without weapons to gain battle superiority. The young warrior would learn to think calm and logically and cope with dangerous situations in an orthodox manner. Through the practice of the art they would train their minds to improve their concentration and apply it to the use of the sword and these concepts compelled the Koryo warrior to strive and overcome the challenges of that time.