Carter schools of taekwondo
The History of Taekwon-Do
What is Taekwon-do?
Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art practised around the world. Taekwondo is a Korean word composed of three parts; ‘Tae’ means foot of kick, ‘known’ means punch or fist and ‘do’ means art, a way of life.
Who is General Choi Hong Hi?
General Choi Hong Hi (1918 - 2002) was a South Korean army general who is widely regarded as the founder of modern Taekwon-Do. He began studying different martial arts at a young age and trained in karate while studying in Japan during the period of Japanese occupation.
After the end of World War II, Choi became an officer in the South Korean army where he began developing and teaching a new martial art system that later became Taekwon-do.
His political thought and philosophical standpoint were closely intertwined with both his personal experiences and the historical content of post-war Korea. Having lived through Japanese occupation, national division and military rule, Choi developed strong views on independence, national identity and the role of discipline in society. He believed that Taekwon-do should serve not only as a method of self-defence but also as a means of cultivating moral character and contributing to a more peaceful world. He promoted the idea that physical strength should always be balanced with ethical responsibility and students should use their skills with restraint and respect.
What is the origin of Taekwon-do?
The origin of taekwondo dates back to the Korea’s Three-Kingdom era (c.50 BC), when Shilla Dynasty warriors, began to develop a martial art called Taekkyon meaning foot-hand. Following the end of the Second World War and the liberation of Korea from Japanese occupation, there was a strong national desire to establish a distinct Korean martial art that reflected cultural identity and independence.
In the 1940s and 1950s, various martial arts schools, known as Kwans, emerged in South Korea which were influenced by a mixture of traditional Korean practices and martial arts such as karate. In 1955, the name Taekwon-do was officially adopted to describe this new martial art, combining elements of striking, kicking and disciplined movement with philosophical principles rooted in Korean culture. General Choi was instrumental in developing its technical structure, including patterns (known as tugs) and establishing its philosophical foundation.
In 1966, General Choi founded the International Taekwon-Do Federation (I.T.F) in Seoul, South Korea. Through demonstrations and international outreach, he helped spread the practice worldwide, which helped transformed it from a national discipline into an internationally recognised martial art.
The history of ITF Taekwon-Do reflects both the cultural aspirations of post-war Korea and the complexities of global expansion. It has evolved from a unifying national martial art into an international discipline that combines physical technique, philosophical values and historical significance.
