By joining Oh Do Kwan they were able to present a united front, and this enabled Taekwon-Do to move forward.
                 
Major-General Choi is to be truly admired; he achieved so much in the following years and went on to found the Korean Taekwon-Do Association (KTA), the International Taekwon-Do Association (ITA); he reached the rank of 2 star General in the Korean Army; formed the elite 29th Infantry Division (Special Forces) in 1953,  and published a book on Military Intelligence. He traveled abroad extensively in the role of Ambassador spreading both his Art and creating trade and cultural links throughout the World.

Master Choi served his Nation unreservedly from 1945, when released from Japanese prison, until 1971 when, due to political wrangling, he was forced to leave his homeland.

Major-General Choi was greatly assisted by Major Nam Tae Hi, who was instrumental in leading members of the committee to join the Oh Do Kwon, Master Choi's 'Gym of My Way', despite himself being a Tang Soo Do exponent from the Chung Do Kwan.

The name was accepted by the committee because it had meaning;

 'Tae' meaning foot,
 'Kwon' meaning fist and
 'Do' meaning way / method,

it was also similar to 'Taek Kyon', the ancient art.

The final outcome, following intervention by American President Truman in July 1953, literally resulted in a split between North and South along a 'demilitarised zone. on the 38th degree parallel; a condition that still exists today (2009).

THE REBUILDING PROCESS continued, and as previously mentioned, Master Choi was ideally placed to develop his Art.

Master Choi headed a naming panel that was to give a title to this new/old Martial Art, to be presented to the Korean President Rhee Seung Man, who then gave his endorsement to the development and introduction of this Art to the Korean Armed Forces.
The name proposed by Major-General Choi Hong Hi was, of course, TAEKWON-DO.

In 1950, a split between the Communist China-backed North and America and its allies backing the South.

The war was technically a civil war but the politics went far beyond the Korean borders, and many
countries were involved, all vying for power in the region.

The North Koreans refused to accept the outcome of free elections held in May 1950, and invaded the South in a full-scale assault, nearly succeeding in over-running the South entirely.

‘THE KOREAN WAR’ as it became known, was a long and bloody conflict, spliiting a Country into two and costing many many lives.

He was a true Patriot.

The ITF relocated to Toronto, Canada and resided there for many years before finally settling in Geneva. It was this that led to a 'split' in Taekwon-Do, and the reason that the 'World Taekwon-Do Federation' (WTF) was formed in Korea to replace the ITF.

Today there is little resemblance between the 2 styles, their similarities being mainly the country of origin, and the name of Taekwon-Do. WTF is not the Art developed by Master Choi but a replacement conjured up by a government when they realised that when Master Choi was forced to leave Korea, he took Tae Kwon-Do with him.

Master Choi continued to spread his Art around the World, working tirelessly throughout the remainder of his life.
Today, ITF Taekwon-Do is the single most popular Martial Art on the planet. It is taught in every country in the World and the ITF continue the work of a truly remarkable man.

GRANDMASTER CHOI HONG HI passed away on 15th June 2002, in Pyongyang, N. Korea.

IT IS AGAINST THIS background then that you should view Tae Kwon-Do and the people of Korea. A People who have strived throughout their long history to develop as a separate, independent nation.
Constantly invaded by outsiders bent on suppressing their unique culture and way of life. A People who eventual survived all that the outside World could throw at them, and still retain their heritage.

Throughout your training in Tae Kwon-Do, you will encounter references to key figures from Korean history. In this way Tae Kwon-Do contributes to the Korean cultural identity by reminding us all of true heroes. People from the past who placed the survival of their

Country and Countrymen above all other personal considerations. Individuals and groups who were willing to give everything, including their own lives, for a higher ideal
If you find it difficult to identify with these essentially Korean characters, take the time to find out a little more about them, and what it was they did.

Then spend some time looking at your own past.

You will find these people there too. Both in spirit and in reality.

We all stand on the shoulders of great men and women who sacrificed themselves unselfishly so that we could have a better way of life.

These people from the past should inspire us, just as the Korean heroes seek to inspire us when performing Tae Kwon-Do.
Draw strength from these selfless people, who overcame all odds to achieve their goals, at times when you feel like quitting; for that is

the true spirit of the Martial Artist that we seek to embrace in Tae Kwon-Do.

This has been a short look at the history of Korea and its people; there are many sources
available, particularly online, and I have provided some links on the links page for those who wish to know more. I have used numerous references to provided a 'potted' version suitable for this site. Any inaccuracies are mine as I do not directly quote anyone. Pictures were found on the web, and if any are copyright, please let me know and they will be removed or acknowledged.

I will however leave you with one direct quote, the thoughts of a truly dedicated individual:


"HERE I LEAVE TAEKWON-DO FOR MANKIND
AS A TRACE OF A MAN OF THE LATE 20th CENTURY.
THE 24 PATTERNS REPRESENT 24 HOURS,
ONE DAY, OR, ALL OF MY LIFE."

General Choi Hong Hi
9th Dan Grandmaster

1918 - 2002

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