Brief History of Taekwon-Do
Compiled by Timothy Folkema
Taekwon-Do was created by General Choi Hong Hi in 1955.
General Choi Hong hi was born on 9 November 1918 in Hwa Dae, Myŏngch'ŏn county, in what is now North Korea. He grew up to be a sickly and weak child, so his parents decided to send him away to be under the tutelage of one of Korea's master Calligraphers. This calligrapher, upon seeing that Choi was a sickly child, decided to teach him the other art he knew, the Martial Art of Taekkyon. This was his first delve into the world of Martial Arts.
During the Japanese occupation, Choi managed to upset a wrestler named Hu. He decided to flee to Japan, determined to gain a Black Belt in Karate so that he could defend himself upon his return. Then World War Two broke out. Choi had obtained 2nd Dan Karate, and he was conscripted into the Japanese Army. His section was sent to Korea to fight the resistance movements, of which Choi joined. The Japanese army put him in prison with an execution date, for his plot to kill a Japanese military commander. The War ended two days before his planned execution.
During his time on prison, he taught the other prisoners Karate, as well as beginning to develop his own, uniquely "Korean" martial art. His prior knowledge of Taekkyon and Karate formed the basis of this new art.
When he was released, Choi joined the new ROK army. He began to teach his Karate to the members of the ROK army, and he gained fame. All the while, he was perfecting hos own art. He gathered some people to fro ma demonstration team of his new art, and they presented it to the then south Korean President. The President was amazed by this demonstration, and asked "what is this Art called?". It had not been named yet. On 11 April of 1955, Choi gathered with his team to decide upon a name of the Art. The each submitted a name, and Choi's name of "Taekwon-Do" won the vote. He was a Major General at this time.
Choi then formed the organisation, "Korean Taekwon-Do Federation", but in 1966 this was edited to the "International Taekwon-Do Federation". The newer ROK President was suspicious of anyone with northern origins, and they did anything they could to get rid of them from the ROK Army. In 1972, Choi went into exile in Canada and the South Korean government formed the WTF (World Taekwon-Do Federation) in 1973. They managed to from WTF by bribing some of Choi's members. The only grandmaster in Taekwon-Do at the time was Choi Himself. WTF only got there through self promotion, and modifying Choi's original art to suit themselves.
Choi Hong Hi introduced the art of Taekwon-Do to DPR Korea in 1980. They have since become among the best practitioners in the world, and many aspire and look up to them, due to their dedication and skill. Choi Hong Hi died on 15 June 2002, in Pyongyang Hospital. Prior to that, he spoke with the Taekwon-Do committee, and we have what we now know as Choi's "Last Words". In these statements, he outlines the future for ITF, and states that Chang Ung, IOC Member for DPR Korea, will be his successor to the Presidency of ITF. A special congress and memorial for Choi was held after Choi's death, where Chang Ung was elected.
This decision by Choi Hong Hi upset a few people. Choi's own son dishonoured his father words, and formed his own organisation, using the ITF name and Logo. He claims legitimacy as the Son of the Founder. Choi said himself upon his deathbead, " [My Son] lied to me again at the airport. I forgave him as a father, but until he apologizes, Taekwon-Doist will NEVER forgive him." Tran Triue Quan is another who left to form his own organisation. The ITF with Chang Ung however, is the largest, and the rules and regulations have remained pretty much the same since the creation of ITF in 1966. There have been others who have left also, smaller breakaways, none satisfied with the unifying spirit of the original Taekwon-Do, but the ITF holds true to the 24th and last Tul (pattern/form) of Taekwon-Do, TONG-IL.
