History of Taekwon-Do

General Choi, Hong Hi

Grandmaster General Choi Hong Hi, born in 1918 was the founder of General Choi Hong Hi, Founder Of Taekwon-DoTaekwon-Do and the president of the International Taekwon-Do Federation. General Choi was a 9th Degree Black Belt.

Towards the end of the Second World War General Choi was sentenced to 7 years in prison for planning to overthrow the Japanese Military High Command it was during his time he began his development of the fundamental movements of Taekwon-Do. He was later sentenced to death only knowing freedom when Korea was liberated from Japanese rule on August 16th 2 days before his scheduled execution.

General Choi originally studied Taekyon and ancient art of Korea which was first studied in the Silla Dynasty. During his time in the military General Choi researched the scientific and theoretical aspects of Taekyon, Karate and Kung Fu. And on April 11th 1955 after exhausting research, development and experimentation the world saw the christening of Taekwon-Do proclaiming it as a unique martial art having Korean Origin. The word Taekwon-Do did not exist in this form in the Korean language until this day.

On March 22nd 1966 General Choi founded the International Taekwon-Do Federation in Seoul Korea. This was the first time the headquarters of an international organization was established in Korea.

Taekwon-Do to put it simply is a version of unarmed combat designed for the purpose of
self-defence. It is the scientific use of the body in a method of self-defence; a body that has gained ultimate use of its facilities through intensive physical and mental training. As a martial art Taekwon-Do has no equal in either power or technique.
Translated literally:
“Tae” stands for jumping or flying, to kick or smash with the foot.
“Kwon” denotes the fist-chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist.
“Do” means an art or way- the right way built and paved by the saints and sages in the past.