Chairman
"Our ancestors performed a considerable numbers of deeds in the field of military technology, which we can boast in front of the world."
Singijon is a multi-stage jet-propelled fire arrow invented and manufactured in the early 15th century.
Choe Hae San, son of Choe Mu Son, newly invented the weapon on the basis of the successes made in the development of the fire arrows used from the previous period.
Depending on the size, shape and the structure of the reaction cartridge, Singijon is subdivided into three kinds – Sosingijon (small-sized), Jungsingijon (medium-sized) and Taesingijon (large-sized).
Sosingijon whose reaction cartridge was made up of two parts (a cartridge and a shell) enabled the arrow to fly farther because once the cartridge at the tail of the arrow was lit, the cartridge would react first and then the shell would react next.
The reaction cartridge of Jungsingijon was made up of 3 parts-they are cartridge, shell and mini firing. Once it is shot, the cartridge reacts first, and then the shell, and last the mini ignition reacts.
The reaction cartridge of Taesingijon consisted of four parts: the cartridge, the shell, the fuse, mini firing. Once it is shot, the cartridge reacts first, then the shell, next fuse, and last mini firing.
In particular, Taesingijon could hit the target in the distance with high accuracy as it had wings attached to the waist.
Singijon was able to fly the distance required without useless consumption of gunpowder.
The design dimensions of each Singijon were standardized nationally in the mid-15th century.
Singijon was used not only as a weapon to set fire on the targets in the battlefields but also as a signal fire as it could fly high in the sky.
Singijon was mainly launched from Singijongi (a device for launching fire arrows) mounted on the cart. It was really powerful as it could shoot up to 100 fire arrows in a row.
Singijon demonstrated its great power in the battle of regaining a fort in Kyongju city which was temporarily occupied by the Japanese invaders and also in the battle to protect a fort in Mt Haengju during the Imjin Patriotic War in the late 16th century.
According to a history book titled "Pyonggidosol", Singijon was used as a powerful weapon together with the turtle ship during the Imjin Patriotic War, making a great contribution to winning the victory of the war.
Singijon is one of Korean nation's proud cultural heritage.
The records of multi-stage jet propelled weapons in other countries are first read in a Polish military science book titled "Great Gunnery Techniques" written in the 17th century and in the same kind of book from Mingchao titled "Mubiji" of the same period.
But the actual use of these weapons could start only after many years.
Indeed Singijon, the world's first multi-stage jet-propelled weapon is a pride of Korean nation, an excellent national cultural heritage of Korean people, who defended the country and nation with their own strength and wisdom.
