Kumdo is a modern martial art of fencing, the Korean equivalent of Japanese Kendo. This Korean art of fencing reached the Korean peninsula through soldiers from neighboring China in the 16th century. The art of the sword in Korea evolved from a martial art heritage reaching back more than 3,000 years. The more modern form of Kendo was introduced to Korea during the Japanese rule, and thereafter it became popular under the name of Kumdo, using slightly different gear and terminology. The rules and the gears are almost the same as those of Kendo. (See Kendo)

As in Judo, skill and technique are much more important than one's size or strength. For this reason, men and women can compete against one another without any unfair advantage. By the early 20th century, Kumdo training had adopted and utilized a practice weapon made of bamboo and lightweight armor that had been developed by the Japanese. This method of practice largely replaced the earlier, more dangerous, methods of training. Kumdo is both a physically and mentally demanding martial art. A Kumdo bout with a skilled opponent is an intense experience. All conscious thought must be suppressed if one is to emerge as a victor.

The best way to learn Kumdo is to train in combination with other martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do or Hapkido, but you don't need to be proficient in another martial art to develop skill in Kumdo.