The History of Taekwondo
Taekwondo (태권도) literally means “the way of the foot and fist” – from Korean tae (foot), kwon (fist), and do (way or art)taekwondoamerica.orgen.wikipedia.org. It is a Korean martial art emphasizing dynamic kicking and punching techniques as a form of self-defense and sport. Although Taekwondo’s modern form dates to the mid-20th century, Koreans trace its spirit to ancient combat games and martial traditions. In this article, we explore Taekwondo’s origins and meaning, its roots in traditional Korean arts, key 20th-century developments (especially after Japan’s occupation), the role of General Choi Hong-hi, the emergence of major bodies (ITF and WT), Olympic inclusion, its global spread and cultural impact, and the core values that define Taekwondo today.
Origins and Meaning of the Name “Taekwondo”
The term “Taekwondo” was first coined in 1955 to unify various Korean martial arts under a single name. It replaced older names like Tang Soo Do or Tae Soo Do (Korean pronunciations of Japanese Kanji)en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org. General Choi Hong-hi, an influential Korean martial artist, is credited with advocating the name Taekwondo – spelling it “Taekwon-Do” in his organization – to emphasize Korean roots and distinguish it from Japanese karateen.wikipedia.orgtaekwondoamerica.org. By Choi’s definition, Taekwondo means “foot, fist, art” or “the way of hand and foot,” highlighting its focus on kicks (tae) and punches (kwon) as central techniquesen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org. This distinct name and concept have since become synonymous with Korea’s national martial art.
Ancient Korean Martial Arts: Taekkyeon and Subak
Long before the modern era, Koreans practiced native martial traditions. Subak (수박, 手搏) was an ancient Korean combat system using empty-hand strikesen.wikipedia.org. Similarly, Taekkyeon (택견 or 태견) is a fluid, dance-like martial art known for its rhythmic kicking techniques. In fact, Taekkyeon was the first martial art inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritageich.unesco.org, and it emphasizes flowing footwork: “the feet play as important a role as the hands”ich.unesco.org. While modern Taekwondo incorporated many innovations, its founders acknowledged these traditional arts as part of Korea’s martial lineageen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org. (For example, the Taekwondo Wikipedia entry notes that Taekkyeon is cited as a “parent” art of Taekwondoen.wikipedia.org.) Together, Subak, Taekkyeon, and other folk fighting games form the deep historical roots of Korean martial arts.
Post-Occupation Revival and Formation of the Kwans
After decades of Japanese rule (1910–1945), during which Korean martial arts were suppressed, native combat traditions re-emerged following Korea’s liberation in 1945. As one historian notes, “After Korea’s liberation in 1945, the native arts of Tae Kyon and Subak resurfaced,” and numerous new martial arts schools (called kwans) quickly opened in Seoulutftkd.com. The first was Chung Do Kwan (Blue Wave School) in 1945, followed by Moo Duk Kwan (which taught Tang Soo Do) and other kwansutftkd.com. These schools blended traditional Korean techniques with Japanese karate and Chinese kung-fu influences. By the early 1950s the kwans used terms like Tang Soo Do or Tae Soo Do to describe their art, but they sought a uniquely Korean styleen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org. In 1959 the nine original kwans united under the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA) to promote and standardize Korean martial artsen.wikipedia.org.
General Choi Hong-hi: Father of Taekwondo
General Choi Hong-hi (1918–2002) was a pioneering figure in Taekwondo’s modern history. A former South Korean Army officer who trained in karate under Gichin Funakoshi, Choi helped lead the postwar taekwondo revival. He served as the first president of the KTA in 1959 and wrote the first Taekwondo textbook. Crucially, Choi proposed and popularized the name Taekwondo in 1955en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org. Choi is often called the “Founder of Taekwon-Do,” especially by the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) that he later establisheden.wikipedia.org. In 1966 Choi broke from the KTA over leadership and unification disputes and founded the ITF, creating his own style (often called ITF Taekwon-Do) and spreading Taekwondo internationallyen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org. (This split was controversial: South Korea later distanced itself from Choi because he later introduced Taekwondo to North Koreaen.wikipedia.org.)
Key Organizations: Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo (WTF), and ITF
Today there are two main international Taekwondo bodies. The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) was founded by Choi in 1966 and initially headquartered in Toronto. In South Korea, the government promoted a separate governing structure: in 1972 the Ministry of Culture and the KTA established Kukkiwon as the national Taekwondo academy in Seoulen.wikipedia.org, and in 1973 the KTA (with Kukkiwon’s support) founded the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), now simply World Taekwondo (WT)en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org. World Taekwondo and Kukkiwon jointly oversee the Olympic-style version of Taekwondo (with electronic scoring and full-contact kyorugi sparring), while ITF governs its own traditional style. Thus, the major Taekwondo organizations today trace back to the KTA’s 1959 founding, Choi’s ITF (1966) and the KTA/Kukkiwon partnership forming WTF (1973)en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org.
Taekwondo in the Olympics
Taekwondo competitions at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Taekwondo’s international profile was boosted by the Olympic Games. It debuted as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and again in 1992en.wikipedia.org. With World Taekwondo’s efforts, it became a full medal sport at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and has been included in every Summer Games sinceen.wikipedia.org. (At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, for example, taekwondo was featured both in sparring and, for the first time, in a mixed team event.) Olympic recognition cemented Taekwondo’s status as a major international martial art, encouraging national programs and inspiring athletes worldwideen.wikipedia.org.
Global Spread and Cultural Impact
Taekwondo has become a global martial art: over 80 million practitioners on six continents (artistic rendering). Taekwondo’s spread worldwide reflects both its appeal and Korea’s cultural diplomacy. Today Taekwondo is practiced in over 200 countries by an estimated 80 million people, making it one of the world’s most popular martial artsm.worldtaekwondo.com. This global surge is partly due to South Korea’s cultural outreach (the “Korean Wave”), as Taekwondo became a symbol of Korean tradition and values abroadtaekwondotogether.com. Cultural exchange programs, school curricula, and community clubs have introduced Taekwondo from cities to rural areas worldwide. Many famous Koreans (from actors to athletes) and events (like world championships) have also elevated Taekwondo’s visibility. Moreover, Taekwondo’s inclusive, disciplined nature makes it accessible; World Taekwondo notes that it can be practiced by anyone “regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, and ability”m.worldtaekwondo.org. Overall, Taekwondo’s role as both a sport and cultural export has had a significant impact on global martial arts and on spreading Korean culture.
Core Values and Philosophy of Taekwondo
Taekwondo is not just physical training but also a moral discipline. Its philosophy is encapsulated in five tenets: Courtesy (Ye Ui), Integrity (Yeom Chi), Perseverance (In Nae), Self-Control (Guk Gi), and Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool)en.wikipedia.org. These guiding principles teach practitioners to show respect, honesty, and resilience. For example:
Courtesy (Ye Ui): Demonstrating respect, humility, and good manners.
Integrity (Yeom Chi): Upholding justice and strong moral principles.
Perseverance (In Nae): Continuing effort through challenges.
Self-Control (Guk Gi): Mastering one’s emotions and impulses.
Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool): Never giving up, even against adversity.
Together, these tenets form Taekwondo’s ethical foundationen.wikipedia.org. Modern Taekwondo organizations also emphasize values like inclusiveness, leadership, and excellencem.worldtaekwondo.org, making the art a holistic system of both body and character development.
Conclusion
Today, Taekwondo stands as a proud legacy of Korean martial tradition and a vibrant global sport. Its evolution – from ancient foot-fighting games and underground wartime practice to government-sponsored kwans and international federations – illustrates Korea’s cultural journey. Taekwondo’s inclusion in the Olympics and its spread to millions worldwide highlight its modern significance. Beyond competition, Taekwondo continues to promote self-defense skills and life values: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, and respect. Whether practiced as a serious sport or a way to build confidence and discipline, Taekwondo remains a dynamic martial art of Korea with enduring historical roots and a far-reaching cultural impactm.worldtaekwondo.orgen.wikipedia.org. Its history is a testament to how a martial art can preserve tradition while adapting to change, uniting people around the world under the spirit of Taekwondo.
Sources: Authoritative Taekwondo histories and organizationstaekwondoamerica.orgen.com.