Who Made Taekwondo? Founder, History & Key Facts

By Sarah Miller · August 26, 2034

Taekwondo was officially developed and systematized by General Choi Hong Hi, often regarded as the founder of modern Taekwondo, who played a pivotal role in standardizing techniques and establishing the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) in 1966.

The Origins of Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that evolved from ancient combat methods used during the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, particularly among the Hwarang warriors of the Silla Dynasty. While indigenous Korean martial traditions like Taekkyeon contributed to its foundation, modern Taekwondo was formally established in the mid-20th century.

Historical Roots

Traces back to Subak and Taekkyeon, traditional Korean martial games
Influenced by Japanese Karate due to Korea's occupation from 1910–1945
Revived post-WWII by Korean martial artists returning from training abroad
Unified under the name "Taekwondo" in 1955 by a committee of masters

Key Figures in Taekwondo's Development

While multiple masters contributed to Taekwondo’s formation, General Choi Hong Hi is widely credited as the principal architect of the art in its modern form.

General Choi Hong Hi

Choi Hong Hi (1918–2002) was a South Korean army general and martial artist who combined elements of traditional Korean fighting styles with Shotokan Karate to develop a standardized curriculum. He authored the Encyclopedia of Taekwondo and founded the ITF in 1966 to promote the art globally.

Other Founding Masters

Master Nam Tae Hi – Known as the "Father of Vietnamese Taekwondo" for spreading it internationally
Master Hwang Ki – Founder of the Moo Duk Kwan school, influential in early development

Taekwondo Organizations and Global Expansion

Two major organizations govern Taekwondo today: the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) and the World Taekwondo (WT), formerly WTF.

Organization	Founded	Headquarters	Global Reach (National Federations)	Olympic Recognition
International Taekwondo Federation (ITF)	1966	Vienna, Austria	over 120	No
World Taekwondo (WT)	1973	Seoul, South Korea	over 210	Yes (since 2000)
United States Taekwondo Union (USTU)	1975	Colorado Springs, USA	N/A	Recognized by USOPC

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that World Taekwondo has broader global representation and Olympic legitimacy, while the ITF maintains a strong presence with a focus on traditional forms. The split between organizations reflects differing philosophies—WT emphasizes sport and sparring, whereas ITF preserves self-defense and pattern-based training.

Evolution of Taekwondo Techniques and Philosophy

Modern Taekwondo is characterized by high, fast kicks and jumping/spinning techniques. It emphasizes discipline, respect, and self-improvement alongside physical training.

Core Components

Poomsae/Tul: Pre-arranged patterns simulating combat scenarios
Kyorugi: Sparring, especially Olympic-style under WT rules
Kyukpa: Breaking techniques demonstrating power and precision
Self-defense (Hosinsul): Practical applications of strikes, blocks, and joint locks

Frequently Asked Questions About Who Made Taekwondo

Who is considered the founder of Taekwondo?

General Choi Hong Hi is widely recognized as the founder of modern Taekwondo. He led the committee that named the art in 1955 and established the ITF in 1966 to spread it worldwide.

Was Taekwondo created by one person or a group?

Taekwondo was developed collectively by several Korean martial arts masters after WWII, but General Choi Hong Hi played the most central role in unifying and promoting it as a distinct system.

How did Japanese Karate influence Taekwondo?

During Japan's occupation of Korea (1910–1945), many Koreans trained in Japanese Karate. After liberation, they adapted these techniques into new schools (Kwans), blending them with native Korean martial traditions to form early Taekwondo.

What is the difference between ITF and WT Taekwondo?

ITF focuses on traditional patterns, self-defense, and continuous sparring, while WT emphasizes Olympic-style full-contact sparring with electronic scoring and higher global federation representation.

When did Taekwondo become an Olympic sport?

Taekwondo became an official Olympic medal sport at the Sydney 2000 Summer Games under World Taekwondo rules, marking a major milestone in its global recognition.