Most of the early ironmaking sites in Korea were located in the valleys of large rivers near rich iron ore deposits. This study of metallurgical characteristics of early Iron Age artifacts excavated from one of the two major river basins in the Republic of Korea presents chemical analyses and the results of metallographical examinations carried out on both the artifacts andtheir related slag. Ironmaking originated in this area during the 2nd or 3rd century B.C. High temperature reduction was used to produce white cast irons from molten metal. Steels were produced from sponge iron which is formed under low temperature reduction by puddling-repeat forging operations -- to eliminate slag. Multiple piling and forging operations may have been used to achieve internal carburization of the low carbon steel produced from the sponge iron. See also 20-1101. -- AATA