Bigyeokjincheonroe – A Timed Bomb from 16th Century Korea
Bigyeokjincheonroe – A Timed Bomb from 16th Century Korea
Joseon: The Historical Root of the Republic of Korea
When people around the world think of Korea today, they often associate it with cutting-edge technologies, K-pop, semiconductors, or its rising influence in the global defense market. However, these achievements did not appear overnight.
They stem from a long tradition of scientific creativity and technological innovation—most notably during the era of Joseon (1392–1897), the predecessor state of modern Republic of Korea (South Korea).
Joseon was a country that valued practical science and systematized its technologies. From astronomy to agriculture, from medicine to weapons engineering, the spirit of innovation was deeply embedded in national policy.
“Joseon (1392–1897) was Korea’s last dynastic kingdom, known for its Confucian bureaucracy and scientific innovation.”
“Imjin War” Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598)
Bigyeokjincheonroe: Korea’s 16th Century Timed Explosive Weapon
 |
| Bigyeokjincheonroe was Korea’s 16th-century time bomb. |
One of the most astonishing examples of Joseon’s scientific ingenuity is the Bigyeokjincheonroe (비격진천뢰, 非擊震天雷)—a timed explosive projectile used during the Imjin War (1592–1598) against Japanese invasion forces.
Unlike conventional bombs of its time, this weapon was equipped with a time-delay fuse and packed with iron shrapnel, designed to detonate after a set period, maximizing its lethality on the battlefield. In modern military terms, it functioned as both a time-fused explosive and a fragmentation bomb.
Technical Specifications and Design
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Diameter | Approximately 14–15 cm |
| Weight | Approximately 5.5–6.5 kg |
| Material | Cast iron |
| Structure | Outer iron sphere, internal black powder, timed fuse (fire strand), and packed iron shrapnel |
| Operation | Ignited by fuse; detonates after delay, dispersing lethal fragments |
Key Features:
-
Time-delayed detonation: Prevents enemy evasion by exploding after a preset interval
-
Fragmentation effect: Iron pellets inside increase area damage and lethality
-
Deployed by hand or cannon: Versatile for use in both fortress defense and field combat
Historical Records and Archaeological Evidence
 |
| The 'Hwapo Sig Eonhae' (1635), an annotated firearms manual from the Joseon Dynasty, provides detailed explanations and vernacular interpretations of contemporary artillery and explosive devices, including the Bigyeokjincheonroe." |
Firearms Manual – Hwapo Singon (火砲新言解), 1635
One of the most authoritative sources on Joseon-era firearms is the Hwapo Singon, written in 1635 (13th year of King Injo’s reign) by military official Lee Seo (李曙). This technical manual contains detailed blueprints, descriptions, and illustrations of Bigyeokjincheonroe, explaining its structure and usage.
It is rare, even by global standards, for 17th-century states to maintain such systematized engineering documentation.
Official Chronicles – Annals of King Seonjo & Jingbirok
These historical texts describe how the Japanese army was deeply shaken by Bigyeokjincheonroe, calling it “thunder from the heavens.” Its destructive power and unpredictable detonation instilled fear and confusion among enemy troops.
Surviving Artifacts
Authentic Bigyeokjincheonroe specimens are preserved at the National Museum of Korea, Jinju National Museum, and the Republic of Korea Naval Academy Museum, among others.
These archaeological finds confirm the technological prowess of the Joseon military during the 16th century.
Scientific Engineering in 16th Century Warfare
The Bigyeokjincheonroe was not just a bomb—it was a scientific instrument of war that combined principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering:
-
Time calculation: Using slow-burning fuse cords calibrated for delay
-
Internal pressure control: To ensure explosive detonation at the optimal moment
-
Precision casting: To house both explosive material and shrapnel safely and effectively
While time-fused explosive shells only began appearing in European armies in the 18th century, Korea had already deployed such weapons more than 200 years earlier—a significant yet often overlooked advancement in global military history.
From Joseon to Today – The Legacy of Innovation
 |
| "South Korea is an emerging powerhouse in the global defense industry—and this is no coincidence." |
In the 21st century, the Republic of Korea ranks among the top six global defense exporters, delivering systems such as:
-
K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer
-
K2 Black Panther main battle tank
-
Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher (MLRS)
-
Cheongung II (M-SAM) missile systems
These are used by NATO members and allied countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
This success is not coincidental—it is part of a long-standing heritage of engineering creativity and scientific precision that dates back to weapons like the Bigyeokjincheonroe.
Bigyeokjincheonroe is not merely an ancient relic.
It is the embodiment of Korea’s historic scientific spirit,
and a forerunner of the modern precision-guided munitions
that define today’s global defense landscape.A different era,
The same inventive DNA.
References and Sources
-
Hwapo Singon (火砲新言解), by Lee Seo, 1635 – National Library of Korea
-
Annals of King Seonjo (Joseon Wangjo Sillok) – Korean History Database
-
Jingbirok, by Ryu Seong-ryong – Historical memoir of the Imjin War
-
Artifact catalogues – National Museum of Korea, Republic of Korea Naval Academy
-
Defense Technology White Paper – Korea Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)
-
Military History Publications – Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA)
Comments
Post a Comment