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Taekwondo Essay Examples

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that has gained worldwide popularity. Many students practice Taekwondo as a way to improve their physical and mental health while also learning discipline and self-defense techniques. If you’re looking to write a college essay about Taekwondo, there are many interesting topics and ideas to explore.

One popular topic for a Taekwondo essay is the benefits of practicing this martial art. You can discuss how Taekwondo helps with physical fitness, such as improving strength, flexibility, and balance. You can also explore the mental benefits, such as increased focus and self-discipline, as well as how practicing Taekwondo can boost confidence and self-esteem.

Among various Taekwondo essay ideas, one of the mpst popular is the history and philosophy behind this martial art. You can delve into the origins of Taekwondo, its evolution, and how it differs from other martial arts. Additionally, you can explore the philosophy of Taekwondo, such as the principles of respect, perseverance, and self-control.

If you’re looking for Taekwondo essay examples, you can find inspiration from personal experiences. You can discuss how practicing Taekwondo has helped you overcome challenges, build relationships, or achieve goals. You can also explore how Taekwondo has impacted your life and what you have learned from the practice.

When writing a college essay about Taekwondo, it is important to follow the proper essay format. The essay should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs that support your ideas with evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes your key points.

Overall, there are many interesting topics and ideas to explore when writing a Taekwondo essay. Whether you focus on the physical or mental benefits, the history and philosophy, or personal experiences, make sure to showcase your passion and dedication to this martial art.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — History of Taekwondo — An Overview of Taekwondo

An Overview of Taekwondo

• Categories: History of Taekwondo

About this sample

Words: 470 |

Published: Nov 6, 2018

Words: 470 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Works Cited

• Bae, J., & Kim, M. (2017). Effects of Taekwondo training on physical fitness, balance, and self-efficacy in pre-adolescents. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 13(6), 676-680.
• Chang, H., Kim, S., Choi, J., & Lee, H. (2017). The effects of Taekwondo training on peripheral neuroplasticity-related growth factors, cerebral blood flow velocity, and cognitive functions in healthy children: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(8), 861.
• Choi, J. H., Moon, J. S., & Song, R. (2018). A systematic review of the effects of Taekwondo practice on physical and psychosocial outcomes in children and adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(7), 1450.
• Fong, S. S., Chung, L. M., & Chow, L. P. (2017). Effects of Taekwondo training on balance ability in children with developmental coordination disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 60, 222-230.
• Ji, L. L., & Chung, S. S. (2017). Effects of Taekwondo training on children's health-related physical fitness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(14), 1342-1350.
• Kim, D., & Shin, M. (2016). Effect of Taekwondo training on the psychological adaptation of children with physical disabilities. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(11), 3230-3233.
• Lee, Y., & Lee, M. (2016). Effects of Taekwondo intervention on balance in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(10), 2889-2892.
• Nambi, G. S., & Inbaraj, L. R. (2017). Effect of Taekwondo training on the psychosocial factors and physical fitness in school children. International Journal of Development Research, 7(12), 17672-17675.
• Ozmen, T., Aydin, M., & Dogan, H. (2015). Effects of Taekwondo training on physical fitness and self-concept in pre-adolescent children. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 15(3), 419-425.
• Yoon, S., & Kim, K. (2016). Effects of Taekwondo training on cognitive function and emotional control in preschool children. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(8), 2306-2309.

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Essay on Taekwondo

Students are often asked to write an essay on Taekwondo in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Taekwondo

Taekwondo: a korean martial art.

Taekwondo is a martial art that originated in Korea. It is a dynamic and exciting form of self-defense that emphasizes kicking and fast hand strikes. Taekwondo is also a great way to get in shape and improve your overall fitness.

History of Taekwondo

The roots of Taekwondo can be traced back to ancient Korea. Over the centuries, it has evolved into the modern martial art that we know today. Taekwondo was popularized in the 1950s and 1960s by Korean masters who traveled the world teaching the art.

Benefits of Taekwondo

Taekwondo offers a variety of benefits, both physical and mental. Physical benefits include improved flexibility, strength, and coordination. Mental benefits include increased self-confidence, discipline, and focus. Taekwondo can also be a great way to relieve stress and have fun.

Taekwondo Training

Taekwondo training typically involves learning basic techniques, such as punches, kicks, and blocks. As you progress, you will learn more advanced techniques, such as sparring and self-defense. Training also includes exercises to improve your flexibility, strength, and coordination.

Taekwondo is a great martial art for people of all ages and fitness levels. It is a fun and challenging way to get in shape, learn self-defense, and improve your overall well-being.

250 Words Essay on Taekwondo

What is taekwondo, basic techniques.

Taekwondo practitioners use a variety of techniques that include punches, kicks, blocks, and evasions. These techniques are designed to be effective in both self-defense and sport competitions.

Taekwondo Today

Today, Taekwondo is practiced by millions of people around the world. It is one of the most popular martial arts and is recognized as an official Olympic sport. Taekwondo continues to evolve and grow, with new techniques and styles being developed all the time.

500 Words Essay on Taekwondo

Taekwondo: an introduction.

Taekwondo is a martial art from South Korea that uses kicking and punching techniques. It is one of the most popular martial arts globally, with millions of practitioners. Taekwondo is an excellent way to get in shape, learn self-defense, and build confidence.

Origin of Taekwondo

Taekwondo techniques.

Taekwondo uses a wide range of kicks, punches, and other techniques. The most famous Taekwondo kick is the roundhouse kick, which is a powerful kick that targets the opponent’s head or body. Taekwondo also includes punches, elbows, and knees.

Taekwondo training typically begins with learning the basic kicks, punches, and stances. As students progress, they will learn more advanced techniques. Taekwondo training also includes physical conditioning, such as stretching and strength training.

Taekwondo Belts

Taekwondo students are ranked by a belt system. The belt system ranges from white to black belt. Each belt represents a different level of proficiency in Taekwondo.

Taekwondo Competition

Taekwondo self-defense.

Taekwondo is an effective form of self-defense. The techniques learned in Taekwondo can be used to defend oneself against attackers. Taekwondo also teaches students about situational awareness and how to avoid dangerous situations.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Taekwondo History: Timeline & How it started

February 11, 2024

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Dive into the fascinating world of Taekwondo history, exploring its ancient roots, evolution, and global impact on martial arts today.

Let’s kick off!

Table of Contents

Taekwondo History Summary

Ancient korea, 1940s – 1950s, 1960s – 1970s, 2010s – present, who invented taekwondo, how did taekwondo become so popular, where did taekwondo originate.

• ⏳ Origins and Evolution: Taekwondo’s rich history traces back to ancient Korea, where martial arts like Taekkyon and Subak laid the foundation. In the mid-20th century, various Korean martial arts schools unified under the name Taekwondo, promoting its distinctive techniques and philosophy.
• 🚀 Rise to Prominence: Taekwondo’s international reach grew rapidly, thanks to demonstrations by Korean masters, military training, and sports diplomacy. The World Taekwondo Federation (now World Taekwondo) was established in 1973, propelling the martial art to a global stage.
• 🥇   Noteworthy Growth and Adaptation: With its inclusion as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and as an official Olympic event in 2000, Taekwondo’s popularity soared worldwide. Embracing technological advancements, like electronic scoring systems, the martial art continues to evolve, adapt, and thrive.

Taekwondo History Timeline

The origins of Taekwondo date back to ancient Korea over 2,000 years ago, where martial arts like Taekkyon and Subak were practiced. Murals in ancient tombs, such as the Muyongchong, Goguryeo, and Silla dynasties, depict warriors showcasing fighting stances and techniques similar to those in modern Taekwondo.

During the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE – 668 CE), each Korean kingdom developed its unique form of martial arts. The Silla Kingdom’s elite youth warrior group, known as Hwarang, practiced Subak and contributed significantly to Taekwondo’s early development.

After World War II and the Korean War, various Korean martial arts schools, or kwans, sought to unify their practice. In 1955, the Korea Taekwondo Association was formed, and the name “Taekwondo” was chosen to represent the unified martial art. General Choi Hong Hi, one of Taekwondo’s founding fathers, played a crucial role in the merging of kwans and promotion of the martial art.

Beyond unification, South Korean military forces began incorporating Taekwondo in their training, demonstrating its effectiveness as a self-defense technique. Shortly after, Taekwondo also became a part of physical education programs in schools across South Korea.

Taekwondo’s global influence expanded during the 1960s, when Korean masters started traveling and performing martial art demonstrations worldwide. Foreign militaries, particularly in Southeast Asia and the United States, adopted Taekwondo for self-defense training.

In 1973, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), now known as World Taekwondo (WT), was established. The first-ever World Taekwondo Championships were held in Seoul, South Korea, in the same year, solidifying Taekwondo’s recognition as an international martial art.

In 1980, the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), founded by General Choi Hong Hi, gained recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This marked a significant milestone for Taekwondo, bringing it closer to Olympic participation.

Eight years later, Taekwondo made its Olympic debut as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The event showcased the martial art’s grace, power, and unique techniques to a global audience, further increasing its popularity.

Taekwondo continued to gain momentum in the 1990s, becoming a demonstration sport once again in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Meanwhile, the number of countries practicing Taekwondo rose dramatically, with over 120 nations joining World Taekwondo by the mid-1990s.

As the martial art gained international prominence, World Taekwondo shifted its focus towards the standardization of techniques and forms, known as poomsae. This facilitated consistent teaching and judging in competitions globally.

Taekwondo made its debut as an official Olympic sport in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This inclusion significantly boosted the martial art’s global appeal, leading to rapid growth in participation and institutional support worldwide.

With increased global attention, World Taekwondo initiated advancements in safety equipment and electronic scoring systems to enhance the fairness and accuracy of Taekwondo competitions.

Technological advancements continue to shape modern Taekwondo. The introduction of the Instant Video Replay system at the 2012 London Olympics enabled judges to make more accurate decisions during competitions, maintaining the integrity of the sport.

Today, Taekwondo is practiced in over 200 countries, with millions of practitioners worldwide. Organizations like World Taekwondo and the International Taekwondo Federation remain committed to promoting the martial art’s core values of self-discipline, respect, and perseverance, preserving Taekwondo’s rich history and ensuring its growth in the future.

Learn about the physical and mental challenges that make it such a demanding sport in our article on why taekwondo is the hardest sport .

General Choi Hong Hi of the South Korean military is often credited with founding Taekwondo in the mid-20th century, integrating martial arts techniques from different Asian countries.

Taekwondo gained popularity worldwide due to its inclusion in the Olympics, effective fitness and self-defense benefits, and international outreach by the World Taekwondo Federation.

Taekwondo originated in Korea, combining aspects of native Korean martial arts, like Taekkyon and Subak, with other Asian fighting styles.

Wayne is a travel blogger who loves to write about the best attractions, restaurants, and resorts in Florida and the southeastern U.S. When he is not writing, he is running outdoors, spending time with family, or planning his next trip.

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A Brief History of Taekwondo (Timeline): Origins, Facts,…

By Author Sportsver Team

Categories Taekwondo

You have watched Taekwondo matches in action; you have attended a class or two to see what it is all about, and now you are wondering if it is  the  martial art for you. Perhaps understanding where Taekwondo comes from and a little more about the history behind it will help to make your decision a little easier. 

Milestones of the history of Taekwondo:

• Early history – first evidence of Taekwondo over 2,000 years ago,
• 600 AD to 1,400 – Subak dominates mainstream fighting until around 1300, evolving into Taekkyon,
• Taekkyon is practiced in Korea until 1909,
• 1909 to 1945 – Japan invades Korea and bans all forms of Subak and Taekkyon,
• Korea is liberated in 1945 and starts slowly reintroducing Korean martial arts,
• 1945 to 1955 – Korea decides to combine several Asian martial arts into one and calls it Taekwondo.

The man responsible for the creation of Taekwondo is said to be  General Choi Hong Hin . He actually started developing Taekwondo in the 1940s by combining elements of Taekkyon, Karate , and several other martial arts in Korea. He believed that his new form of martial arts would provide self-defense as well as engage the minds and bodies of all practitioners living in Korea after the Japanese occupation.

Do you want to learn more about the timeline of Taekwondo’s history and how it became the martial art that has your interest today? To learn more, simply read through the simplified explanations of each of Taekwondo’s history timeline and milestones below.

The History of Taekwondo in 7 Easy-to-Understand Categories

During my research into Taekwondo’s past, I found that there are 7 main stages to the  history  of Taekwondo and that the martial art is actually leaning on the history of the other arts that it is based on. That makes the story of Taekwondo, both interesting and inspirational. 

Below is each of the stages of Korean history that brought about the creation of Taekwondo as we know it today:

1. First Evidence of Taekwondo over 2,000 years ago. 

The early history of Taekwondo shows evidence of the art dating back to over 2,000 years ago. There is not too much known about Korean martial arts in those times, so how do we really know this? 

In 1935, a painting that was found on the walls of a  Korean royal tomb  depicted what looks like people practicing martial art movements and techniques. The age of the tombs can give away just how old Korean martial art forms are. How old are the tombs? Historians believe that they were the Koguryo King tombs, which means that they date back to anywhere between 3 AD and 427 AD.

How long before that, that martial art was practiced in Korea, it is difficult to determine, although there are several theories that you will find out there. 

2. 600AD to 1,400 AD – From Subak to Taekkyon.

From around 600AD to 1400 AD, Korea saw many forms of martial arts being practiced, with Subak being the main form of martial art practiced by most Korean citizens.

Subak  is a weaponless martial art often referred to as “open hand” martial arts. The art was designed to develop both body and mind . This type of fighting actually remained the main form of Korean martial arts until it evolved into Taekkyon in the year 1300. There is not too much known about Subak, but you might have heard of what followed it. 

Taekkyon  is a full-contact martial art that involves dynamic and versatile footwork. This footwork is based on agility and is called “pum balgi”, which describes how the steps work (stepping is done in a triangular format). What is the main objective of this type of fighting? In Taekkyon, opponents must use their hands and feet simultaneously to throw, trip, or unbalance an opponent. 

3. Buddhist monks add spirituality to Korean martial arts.

At the time, Buddhist monks were responsible for adding a spiritual element to Korean martial arts. Unfortunately, while Korean martial arts had a strategy, skill, and strength-building characteristics, they lacked in spirituality. Most martial arts have a spiritual element that it is based on. 

During the time of the  Silla Dynasty , Buddhist monks were responsible for instructing the Hwarang warriors and brought their own element of spiritual teachings combined with martial art training to the warriors.

4. Taekkyon is practiced in Korea until 1909.

Since  Taekkyon  was introduced, Korea saw most of its people practicing it regularly. It caught on quickly in the country and was vastly popular. In fact, it was the most common form of martial arts in Korea  until 1909, which is when Japan invaded the country . 

Most people, even those who practice Taekwondo today, do not know much about Taekkyon and the role that it plays in Taekwondo’s history. Its role in the history of this particular martial art is crucial – in fact, it forms the basis of Taekwondo principles and techniques.

The ‘Grandfather’ of Taekwondo.

This ancient martial art is actually the grandfather of Taekwondo; at least that is what many Koreans believe.  Taekwondo , as you know it today, is actually a  combination of Taekkyon and Karate , which was the style of martial arts imposed on the Korean people when Japan occupied the country. For the sake of this piece, we won’t focus too much on Karate’s influence on Taekwondo . 

Silla Dynasty 

It is interesting to note that Taekkyon comes from Subak. Subak wasn’t a martial art that was readily available to anyone and everyone. It was a style of martial arts exclusively practiced by young religious men, elite military officials, and the  Hwarang  warriors in the Silla Dynasty. This particular dynasty ran from 57 BC to 935 AD. After the fall of the Silla Dynasty, the martial art was made available to all people, not just the elite and the ruling class. In fact, it very soon became a common practice.

Joseon Dynasty 

However, between 1392 and 1897, which was the Joseon Dynasty, Taekkyon became less popular with the elite class. Some believe this is because it was becoming  a common practice among the lower classes . Most, also, seem to think that the upper class believed that the martial art was better suited to the common class, while matters of intellectuality were for the elite. When this change came about, the lower classes turned Taekkyon it into a competitive game and an art to aid in combat.

5. 1909 to 1945 – All forms of Subak and Taekkyon were banned. 

From 1909 to 1945, the Korean people suffered a great loss; their martial arts were disallowed, and this lead to a generational gap in the teaching of some arts. 

While Japan was in control of Korea, all forms of Subak and Taekkyon were prohibited , which means that the population ceased practicing it. Only Japanese arts were allowed to be practiced, such as Karate. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, all forms of indigenous fighting were banned, and many thought that they became somewhat extinct. 

6. Korea is liberated in 1945 and starts slowly reintroducing Korean martial arts.

In 1945, Korea was freed from Japanese rule, and amidst the rebuilding, the country started to reintroduce various forms of martial arts. At the time, the Korean people wanted to remove signs of Japanese culture from the country and so they planned to bring Korean traditional arts back into common practice. 

7. 1945 to 1955 – The combination of several Asian martial arts became Taekwondo.

Later on, during the Korean War, which ran from 1950 to 1953, only one Master of Taekkyon, who had secretly maintained his martial art practicing during the Japanese rule, survived. His name was  Son Deok-gi . It was his knowledge of the art that kept it alive and helped to revive Taekkyon and create Taekwondo in the end.

The martial art masters in the country wanted a return to Taekkyon but also wanted to create something new that combined all the styles of martial arts practiced by the people. And thus, Taekwondo was formed by  General Choi Hong Hin . 

In  April 1955 , the new name of Taekwondo was chosen for what became Korea’s next most-practiced martial art. From there, Taekwondo spread to the Western World . 

When Did Taekwondo Get to America?

When following the history of Taekwondo, you might wonder when it made its way to the United States. Well, that is not an easy one to answer, and people involved in the practice often have  differing opinions  on the matter. 

It is often said that a certain Well Jhoon Rhee brought Taekwondo to America. He moved to the United States in 1956, where he lived in Texas, and ended up teaching the art to students at a local Karate school that already existed. This implies that Taekwondo may have already made it to the United States. 

Many dispute this and say that it was several Koreans who brought Taekwondo to the United States by providing demonstrations to American soldiers at several important military bases. Thereafter, Taekwondo was taught to Americans in the 1950s and 1960s.

The history of Taekwondo is fairly in-depth. While this is a brief and simplified overview of the history, you might benefit from digging a little deeper and doing a bit of extra  reading  yourself. Taekwondo itself leans on the history of the other martial arts that it stems from. 

Without the dedication of Taekkyon master, Son Deok-gi, as well as General Choi Hong Hin, Taekwondo, as we know it today, might be very different. 

The History of Taekwondo

• Posted on December 29, 2021
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Introduction

Taekwondo, translated to “The Way of the Feet and Hands,” is a Korean martial that rose to worldwide popularity in a relatively short time. Unlike the Chinese Martial Arts, Taekwondo has only existed for about 70 years. The martial art was developed between the years of 1945 and 1955 and became widely known as Taekwondo after 1959 with the formation of the Korean Taekwondo Association. Writings typically portray Taekwondo as a unique product of Korean culture that has been developed over the long course of Korean history. Contrary to these writings, Taekwondo is, in fact, based upon Shotokan Karate with mild influences from other ancient Korean martial arts such as Taekyon and Subak.

Due to the efforts of individuals, and entities, to conceal the true history of Taekwondo, written accounts of how the martial art came to be are conflicting. However, enough evidence-based details exist to piece together Taekwondo’s short history in wholistic manner that practitioners can understand.

Origins of Taekwondo

After WWII, and the end of the Japanese occupation (1945), Korea went through a period of cultural revitalization. During this time, the martial arts, which were banned during the occupation, had a resurgence. The Korean people embraced the proliferation of the martial arts throughout the nation. From this, came the birth of modern Korean martial arts. However, at the time, most of the Korean martial arts were identical to Japanese arts. Although the Japanese occupation had ended, most martial arts schools were still using the name Karate, called Kongsodo/Tangsoodo in Korean, along with Japanese terminology to describe patterns and training methods.

Of the martial arts schools, there were nine that rose to prominence; the Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk Kwan, Soo Moo Kwan, Ji Do Kwan, Chang Moo Kwan, Han Moo Kwan, Oh Do Kwan, Jung Do Kwan, and Kang Duk Won. These nine schools are often referred to in Taekwondo as the original kwans. The first five kwans were the first to form on the South Korean peninsula post the occupation, while the later four formed after the Korean War (1950-1953). 

• 1945:  Chung Do Kwan –  founded by Lee Won Kuk.
• 1945:  Moo Duk Kwan  – founded by Hwang Kee 
• 1946:  Ji Do Kwan   (renamed from Yun Moo Kwan)  – founded by Chun Sang Sup
• 1946:  Chang-Moo-Kwan (renamed from Kwon Bop)  – founded by Yoon Byung In
• 1946:  Song-Moo-Kwan  – founded by Ro Byung Jik
• 1953:  Oh-Do-Kwan   –  founded by General Choi Hong Hi 
• 1953:  Kang Duk Won  – founded by Hong Jong Pyo and Park Chul Hee 
• 1954:  Jung Do Kwan  – founded by Lee Yong Woo
• 1954:  Han Moo Kwan  – founded by Lee Kyo Yoon

All founders of the kwans initially received their martial arts training in Japanese Karate yet claimed to teach a traditional Korean martial art influenced by Subak and Taekyon. Over time, rivalries developed between the kwans for the control of the Korean martial arts. This prevented the formation of a central regulating body for many years.

In 1946-1947, Choi Hong Hi, a black belt in Karate and first lieutenant in the South Korean Army’s Second Infantry Regiment, taught martial arts to both Koreans and Americans stationed at Tae-jon. He continued to rise rapidly through the military ranks, and, in 1948, Major Choi Hong Hi became the martial arts instructor for the American Military Police School in Seoul. In 1953, he was named the honorary head of the Chung Do Kwan while it still used the name Tangsoodo. In the same year, Choi formed the Oh Do Kwan as the Korean Army’s physical training program. Throughout this time, he began to create patterns unique to the Oh Do Kwan and began teaching them to his students. In 1955, a meeting to discuss the unification of the kwans under one name and style took place. At this meeting Choi proposed the name Taekwondo. However, the name did not take root amongst the others in attendance at the time. Despite, Choi began to use the name Taekwondo for himself going forward. Choi used the name Taekwondo to teach civilians and American soldiers in addition to the South Korean Army helping the name to grow in popularity.

The South Korean government, interested in promoting a national martial art, pressured the kwans to complete the unification of the Korean martial arts. In 1959, the name Taekwondo was chosen to unify the arts and the Korea Taekwondo Association was formed to serve as the central body of the main kwans with Choi as its President. Although it’s unclear why, for a brief time, the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA) replaced the name Taekwondo with Taesudo and removed Choi as its President. Then, reinstated Choi in 1965 and changed the name back to Taekwondo. Regardless, Korean martial arts now had a homogenous name, but each kwan still practiced their own versions Karate. The name change didn’t address the need for Korea to establish an art form truly unique to Korean heritage. The need to create a unified style of Taekwondo became apparent.

The second generation of instructors who had received their training exclusively in Korea under first generation Japanese trained instructors solved this problem by creating a method of competition that used an original system of techniques radically different from the Japanese system. This system added the use of a body protector, allowed hard contact, and removed strikes to the head with the hand. These instructors propositioned the KTA to unify Taekwondo styles under this new competition format. This attempt was met with great opposition from first generation instructors such as Choi and Hwang Ki. Choi insisted on Taekwondo unifying under Choi’s Chang-Hon style of Taekwondo. However, the South Korean government withdrew its support for Choi’s style of Taekwondo due to its North Korean ties. Thus, the KTA moved forward with implementing the new competition format in 1966. Eventually, the new style was adopted by all Taekwondo kwans.

International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF) 

In 1965, Choi was appointed by the South Korean government as the Ambassador to Malaysia. Shortly after, he organized a goodwill mission to West Germany, Italy, Turkey, United-Arab Republic, Malaysia, and Singapore. This trip was significant in that for the first time in South Korean history, it declared Taekwondo as the national martial art of Korea. On March 22, 1966, Choi formed the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) in Seoul and established affiliations in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, Turkey, Italy, Arab Republic of Egypt, Korea, and the United States. The intent was for the ITF to act as the international arm of the KTA. However, growing tensions between Choi and the South Korean government arose due to Choi’s Chang-hon style of Taekwondo growing in popularity in North Korea. This caused the KTA to shy away from any ITF affiliation and adopt a new style of Taekwondo more unique to Korean culture. This adoption took place against Choi’s wishes causing him to part ways with the KTA and move the ITF headquarters to Toronto, Canada.

The next few years saw exponential growth for the ITF. Choi travelled the world tirelessly teaching and expanding his style of Taekwondo. In 1985, Choi relocated the ITF to Vienna, Austria. Upon his death, The ITF split into three main factions over disputes as to who should succeed Choi as the head of the ITF.

3 Main ITF Factions

• ITF UK (led by Choi Jung Hwa, Choi’s son)

Each faction claims to be the true ITF and conducts business as such. However, there is no clear distinction as to which body is more prominent and respected in the ITF community.

Today, each ITF is still extremely active hosting international events for masters, coaches, and athletes around the world.

Kukkiwon Taekwondo (often incorrectly referred to as World Tae Kwon Do Federation)

After Choi’s departure, the KTA elected Yong Chae Kim, head of the Kang Duk Won, as President of the KTA. Kim had been instrumental in petitioning the government to build a facility that would serve as KTA headquarters. This goal of Kim’s wasn’t realized until Dr. Un Yong Kim, a Deputy Chief of the Presidential Protective Forces, was elected as the next President of the KTA in 1971. Dr. Kim finalized his predecessors plans with the government and organized the building of an advanced Taekwondo training establishment in Seoul, Korea. On March 20, 1971, President Park declared Taekwondo the national sport of Korea and allocated funds to build the “Kukkiwon,” or “National Academy,” which would serve as the central gymnasium and headquarters for Taekwondo around the world. During that same year, the KTA completed development of a new pattern set that would be used to instruct Taekwondo students.

Initially, Kukkwion was chosen as the name of the building itself. However, in 1972, the South Korean government chartered the name Kukkiwon as an entity making it a standalone organization, separate from the KTA, with Dr. Kim as President to both. The KTA relinquished the development of Taekwondo to the Kukkiwon, but continued to facilitate kwan consolidation for several years. The Kukkiwon, now its own organization, used the KTA’s combined competition format and new pattern set to further the development of Taekwondo. This style become known as “Kukki-style” or “National-style” Taekwondo, and on May 25, 1973, the Kukkiwon held its first international competition with at least 17 participating countries.

On May 28 th , just a few days after the competition, an inaugural meeting held at the Kukkiwon birth the establishment of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) in response to the success of the competition. Competition attendees saw that Taekwondo had international appeal and created the WTF to act as the governing body to guide the sport of Taekwondo exclusively. At that time, Dr. Kim was chosen as the first President of the WTF and would serve as President for over 20 years. While the WTF began to oversee the development of Taekwondo competition, the Kukkiwon continued to develop Taekwondo as an art remaining responsible for curriculum, promotion tests, and being the central academy for Taekwondo around the world. In 1980, the WTF was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and chose Taekwondo as a demonstration sport for the 1988 Olympic Games to be held in Seoul. As a result, Kukkiwon-style Taekwondo increased in popularity around the world helping to solidify its place in the Olympics permanently, which happened in 2000.

Today, Kukkiwon-style Taekwondo is the most practiced form of Taekwondo around the world. The Kukkiwon continues to develop Taekwondo and has thrived as the “mecca of Taekwondo” for years. In comparison, the World Taekwondo Federation, now just World Taekwondo (WT), has also had massive success with the development of Kukkiwon-style Taekwondo as an Olympic sport. Beginning with just 17 countries, the WT now sees athletes from over 200 participating countries compete at international events including the Olympics, Taekwondo World Championships, Junior World Championships, World Military Games, Pan American Games, and Poomsae World Championships. 

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