The proto-Korean kingdoms (Gojoseon, Buyeo, and the early Three Kingdoms) entered a full iron age, producing high-quality iron from local ores. Iron tools revolutionized agriculture, while iron weapons enabled territorial unification. Korea developed unique smelting technologies, including the 'Korean' or 'tata' furnace, distinct from Chinese models.

Ironworking is deeply embedded in Korean foundational myths and shamanic poetry (Muga). The legendary smiths and iron mountains appear in the 'Samguk Yusa' (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), a collection of historical tales and verse. In contemporary Korean poetry, the 'P'aektu' (a volcano) remains a symbol of national origin and contested resource wealth. Poets like Ko Un, a Zen poet and activist, have used the imagery of the 'iron age' to discuss the rapid, violent industrialization of South Korea under the Park Chung-hee regime, where the 'steel mill' was a site of both national pride and worker exploitation.