When Was Taekwondo Created? History & Key Facts

By Sarah Miller · March 8, 2031

Taekwondo was officially created in 1955 as a unified Korean martial art, combining traditional techniques with modern combat sports principles.

The Origins of Taekwondo

Taekwondo emerged in mid-20th century Korea as a systematic unification of indigenous Korean martial arts. While its roots trace back over 2,000 years to ancient fighting styles like Taekkyeon and Subak, the formal creation of Taekwondo occurred in 1955 when South Korean military leaders and martial arts masters agreed on a standardized name and curriculum.

Historical Development Timeline

57 BCE–935 CE: Early forms such as Taekkyeon practiced during the Three Kingdoms period
1945: After Japanese occupation ended, Korean martial artists began reviving native styles
1950s: Nine kwans (schools) operated independently with varying techniques
April 11, 1955: The term "Taekwondo" was officially adopted by the Korean government
1961: Korea Taekwondo Association established to unify training standards
1973: World Taekwondo Federation (now World Taekwondo) founded
2000: Became an official Olympic sport at Sydney Summer Games

Key Founding Figures

The development of modern Taekwondo involved collaboration among several influential martial artists and generals who sought to create a national identity through physical discipline.

Major Contributors

General Choi Hong Hi: Credited as co-founder; promoted the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)
Dr. Un Yong Kim: Instrumental in gaining Olympic recognition through World Taekwondo leadership
Choi Chang Keun: One of the original masters who helped standardize patterns (poomsae)

Taekwondo Styles and Organizations

Two primary branches define global practice today: World Taekwondo (WT), recognized by the IOC, and International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), emphasizing traditional forms.

Organization	Founded	Headquarters	Global Reach	Olympic Affiliation
World Taekwondo (WT)	1973	Seoul, South Korea	211 National Associations	Yes (since 2000)
International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)	1966	Pyongyang, North Korea (original); now split across multiple groups	Approx. 120 countries	No
Global Taekwondo Federation (GTF)	1990	Canada (current HQ)	Over 50 member nations	No

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that World Taekwondo has achieved significantly broader institutional adoption, particularly due to its Olympic affiliation and centralized governance. In contrast, ITF remains influential in traditional circles but lacks unified global coordination after organizational splits. WT's growth reflects strategic alignment with international sports bodies.

Evolution into a Global Sport

From its inception in 1955, Taekwondo rapidly expanded beyond Korea through military exchanges and cultural diplomacy. By the 1980s, demonstration events at the Olympics increased visibility, culminating in full medal status in 2000. Today, it is one of the most widely practiced martial arts worldwide, with over 80 million participants across 211 countries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Taekwondo

When was Taekwondo invented?

Taekwondo was formally created on April 11, 1955, when Korean leaders unified various martial arts schools under a single name and system.

Who created Taekwondo?

A group of Korean martial arts masters led by General Choi Hong Hi and supported by the South Korean government developed modern Taekwondo in the 1950s.

Is Taekwondo older than Korea itself?

No, but its ancestral forms—like Taekkyeon—date back to Korea’s Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE–935 CE), making its lineage over two millennia old.

Why was Taekwondo created?

It was developed to unify disparate post-war martial arts schools, promote national identity, and establish a structured self-defense and sport system for military and civilian use.

How did Taekwondo become an Olympic sport?

Through decades of international promotion and standardization by the World Taekwondo Federation, it gained demonstration status in 1988 and became an official Olympic event in 2000.