Who Created Taekwondo? The Founder Revealed

By Sarah Miller · July 5, 2053

Taekwondo was created by General Choi Hong Hi, who is widely recognized as the founder of the martial art, unifying Korean techniques and formalizing them into a cohesive system in the mid-20th century.

The Origins of Taekwondo

Taekwondo emerged in post-war Korea as a national martial art that combined traditional Korean fighting styles with modern combat techniques. While its roots trace back to ancient Korean kingdoms like Goguryeo and Silla, the formal creation of Taekwondo as a standardized discipline is credited to General Choi Hong Hi.

Historical Background

Korean martial arts date back over 2,000 years, with evidence of "Taekkyon" practiced during the Three Kingdoms period.
During Japanese occupation (1910–1945), traditional Korean martial arts were suppressed.
After liberation in 1945, Korean martial artists began reviving and redefining indigenous combat systems.
In 1955, the name "Taekwondo" was officially adopted to unify various schools (kwans).

General Choi Hong Hi: The Founder

General Choi Hong Hi played a pivotal role in developing and promoting Taekwondo globally. A South Korean army general and martial artist, he synthesized elements from Karate, traditional Korean martial arts, and his own innovations.

Key Contributions

Authored the Encyclopedia of Taekwondo, the definitive technical guide.
Founded the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) in 1966.
Pioneered the use of scientific principles in training, including kinetic energy and biomechanics.
Led global demonstration teams to spread Taekwondo across five continents.

Taekwondo Organizations and Global Spread

Two major organizations govern Taekwondo today: the ITF and the World Taekwondo (WT), formerly WTF. Their differing philosophies and rules have shaped how the sport is practiced worldwide.

Organization	Founded	Headquarters	Member Nations	Olympic Recognition
International Taekwondo Federation (ITF)	1966	Vienna, Austria	120+	No
World Taekwondo (WT)	1973	Seoul, South Korea	210+	Yes (since 2000)
Global Taekwondo International (GTI)	2008	Budapest, Hungary	40+	No

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that while the ITF was first to organize Taekwondo internationally, WT has achieved broader global reach and Olympic legitimacy. Over 80 million practitioners exist worldwide, with WT governing the Olympic version emphasizing sparring and electronic scoring.

Evolution and Modern Practice

Today, Taekwondo exists in two primary forms: traditional (ITF-style) focusing on self-defense and patterns (forms), and sport-oriented (WT-style) emphasizing high-speed kicking and point-based competition.

Core Techniques and Training

Emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning kicks, and jumping kicks.
Training includes poomsae (forms), sparring, breaking, and self-defense.
Mental discipline, respect, and ethical development are integral components.

Frequently Asked Questions About Taekwondo

Who is considered the father of Taekwondo?

General Choi Hong Hi is universally acknowledged as the father of Taekwondo for his role in systematizing the art and spreading it globally through the ITF.

When was Taekwondo officially named?

Taekwondo was officially named on April 11, 1955, by a committee of Korean martial arts leaders, with General Choi playing a leading role in the decision.

What is the difference between ITF and WT Taekwondo?

ITF focuses on traditional techniques, continuous sparring, and no electronic scoring, while WT uses electronic protectors, emphasizes full-contact point sparring, and follows Olympic rules.