TAE KWON-DO was officially inaugurated on 11th April 1955. It originates from what is now
called 'The Republic Of Korea', but which the outside World generally refer to as South Korea.
It was developed into its present form by a team led by the Founder of the art, MAJOR-GENERAL CHOI HONG HI.
Master Choi, had, as a young man, been taught the ancient Korean art of foot-fighting, Taek Kyon, by his calligraphy teacher. Master Choi later traveled to Japan, to further his education. While there, he met a fellow Korean named Mr Kim, with whom he studied Karate and, within 2 years, was awarded his 1st Degree. He went on to achieve his 2nd Degree and began to teach at the YMCA in Tokyo. These Karate techniques, when combined with his earlier training in Taek Kyon were, no doubt, the beginnings of Tae Kwon-Do.
It was intended that the group led by Major-General Choi would combine all the best elements of the many differing Korean martial arts, together with scientific knowledge,to produce the ultimate self-defence form.
There was, as you might expect, much opposition to this proposal from the Masters of the traditional arts, who together with their students, had kept their arts alive throughout the long occupation by Japan, training in secret, under threat of severe punishment if caught.
However, the newly-emerging Korean government prevailed and the group went on to develop the beginnings of the martial art TAE KWON-DO.
It was developed into its present form by a team led by the Founder of the art, MAJOR-
Master Choi, had, as a young man, been taught the ancient Korean art of foot-
It was intended that the group led by Major-
However, the newly-
In order to put this into perspective, it is important to know a little of Korean history.
KOREA IS SITUATED in what we refer to as the 'FAR EAST', on a peninsula jutting out between the
Yellow Sea and the Sea Of Japan (the West Sea and the East Sea in Korea), it lies to the North-
They shared their Northern border with China and this too was always under threat from outside invasion,
not least from the Mongal Empire.
Although there is literary evidence that can trace Korea's traditional beginnings back for over 4,000 years,
a more specific description of the Korean cultural identity places it around 2332 BC, after the establishment of the Ko-
Much later, between 60 BC and 15 BC, 3 Kingdoms would form and which would eventually become a single
unified state. These were:
(1) SILLA (Shilla) in about 57 BC, (2) KOGURYO (Goguryeo) 37 BC and (3) PAEKCHE (Baekje) in about 18 BC.
It is important to remember that this was all happening over 2,000 years ago, and although there was still
much fighting and raiding between the 3 Kingdoms, it did lead to relative stability and strength against outside aggressors which would last for over 600 years.
Eventually, it is thought that the Kingdom of SILLA united the 3 separate empires into one formidable state, although it is unlikely that the entire northern territories were ever completely under the control of the Silla Dynasty.
THE SILLA DYNASTY WAS to last from 661 - 935 AD, and was able to achieve this, in part, due to the formation of an elite group of warriors known as the 'HWA RANG' (today often slightly mistranslated as ' the way of the flowering manhood'), and the group comprised a selected portion of young nobles, taken from ‘clubs’ specifically set up to further the skills and education of young men and women of their time.
They would be trained in all forms of warfare and fighting skills, together with the best social and intellectual knowledge of their times. They received instruction in Buddhism and Taoist principles and were taught poetry and literature, the arts and Science.
Eventually, it is thought that the Kingdom of SILLA united the 3 separate empires into one formidable state, although it is unlikely that the entire northern territories were ever completely under the control of the Silla Dynasty.
THE SILLA DYNASTY WAS to last from 661 -
They were expected to excel in these subjects and were to be shining examples of their culture, not just chivalrous and fearless warriors.
Part of their instruction was thought to have included a Military art called 'TAEK KYON', the art of foot-fighting, which would ultimately re-emerge 1300 years later to be incorporated into modern Tae Kwon-Do.
The Hwa Rang lasted well into the 10th Century, an important part of early Korean culture.
KOREA PROSPERED UNDER the Silla Dynasty, but this would eventually give way to the KORYO DYNASTY (918 - 1391), which grew into an established, independent state in its own right. They survived many internal and external changes of power. and repelled invasions from both China and Japan, as well as many
Part of their instruction was thought to have included a Military art called 'TAEK KYON', the art of foot-
The Hwa Rang lasted well into the 10th Century, an important part of early Korean culture.
KOREA PROSPERED UNDER the Silla Dynasty, but this would eventually give way to the KORYO DYNASTY (918 -
incursions from northern Nomadic Tribes, the most devastating of which was a 100 year occupation by the Mongal Empire, who invaded after the Koryo Dynasty refused to pay tribute.
This could easily have been the end of Korea, but they eventually re-emerged to establish their own culture and way of life.
A relative peace was to govern the next stage of their development (1616 - 1909) after establishing an informal 'brother relationship' with their mighty neighbour, China and the Ch'ing Dynasty.
There was a large amount of trade between China and Korea during this period, and quite naturally, a great deal of Chinese culture was absorbed into Korean daily life, influencing many aspects of their development. Korea settled into nearly 300 years of relative peace and prosperity .
A dark cloud lay on the horizon, however, as once more Japan looked west towards China and Korea as a means to expand its lack of natural resources.
This could easily have been the end of Korea, but they eventually re-
A relative peace was to govern the next stage of their development (1616 -
A dark cloud lay on the horizon, however, as once more Japan looked west towards China and Korea as a means to expand its lack of natural resources.
TKD History Continues Next Page
In 1894, Japan proposed a Japan - Korea merger, in order to strengthen their own position in the Far East, and as a base for the eventual invasion of China. The proposal was rejected by Korea, but in doing so, they sealed their own fate.
In 1903, Japan was in bitter diplomatic conflict with Russia over the fate of China and Manchuria, and used this as reason to land troops on the mainland, gaining a toe-hold in Korea and China.
There followed a brief Russo-Japanese War which eventually led to full-scale military invasion by Japan, and after which their troops stayed on the mainland, in preparation for what would follow.
In 1903, Japan was in bitter diplomatic conflict with Russia over the fate of China and Manchuria, and used this as reason to land troops on the mainland, gaining a toe-
There followed a brief Russo-
ALMOST 3 CENTURIES of relative peace and harmony were shattered in 1910 by the
occupation of Korea by Japan.
With a Government based on Confucian ideals, a population of only 12 million and a standing army numbering only 6,000, the Korean People were all but defence-
THE OCCUPATION was to last until the end of World War 2, when the Japanese Forces surrendered. The
Korean People would endure over 35 years of the total suppression of their cultural identity. All things
fundamentally Korean were forbidden; language, traditional clothing, history, education and beliefs.
During this time there was a real danger that the Korean identity would be lost, buried under the weight of the Japanese Forces.
Traditional Martial Arts were banned, with imprisonment or even death a very real possibility if discovered. They survived in secret, in rural communities, in Buddhist monasteries and in schools.
Many Koreans met in secrecy forming Resistance Groups or 'Independence Armies' to fight their oppressors. They were active throughout the occupation, causing as much disruption to the Japanese as they were able. Their goal was to keep alive the spirit of Korea, letting their Countrymen know that the fight was still going on.
At the outbreak of World War 2, Master Choi was forced to serve in the Japanese Army, but while stationed in Pyongyang (northern Korea), he was implicated in the formation of a rebel group, the Pyongyang Student Soldiers Group, and for causing the ‘Pyongyang Incident’ he was sentenced to serve 7 years in a Military Prison.
Master Choi chose not to waste his time there. He continued with his training in Martial Arts, refining and developing his own methods and techniques, and also teaching fellow prisoners and even some of the guards !
Liberation came with the Japanese surrender at the end of World War 2, and Master Choi’s imprisonment was cut short.
IN 1947 THE UNITED NATIONS officially recognised Korea's claim for Independence, and thus began the great task for the Korean People of rebuilding their lives and culture.
Master Choi was spared his 7 year sentence, and traveled to Seoul where he was able to organise a 'student soldiers group'. This led to a commission in the newly-formed Republic Of Korea Army.
As a founding member, Master Choi was in a real position of power to enable him to fulfil his ambition of developing a National Martial Art. He began by teaching those under his command his variation of Karate / Taek Kyon.
Master Choi continued with the development of his fledgling 'way'.
THERE WAS TO BE one final conflict though, before peace came to the Korean peninsula; in many ways, the most devastating in history so far.
Master Choi was spared his 7 year sentence, and traveled to Seoul where he was able to organise a 'student soldiers group'. This led to a commission in the newly-
As a founding member, Master Choi was in a real position of power to enable him to fulfil his ambition of developing a National Martial Art. He began by teaching those under his command his variation of Karate / Taek Kyon.
Master Choi continued with the development of his fledgling 'way'.
THERE WAS TO BE one final conflict though, before peace came to the Korean peninsula; in many ways, the most devastating in history so far.
