Although the origins of the martial arts are shrouded in mystery, we consider it an undeniable fact that from time immemorial there have been physical condtions involving the use of the hands and feet for purpose of self-protection. If we ere to define these physical actions as "Taekwon- Do", any country might claim credit for inventing Taekwon-Do. There is, however, scant esemblance between Taekwon-Do, as it is practiced today, and the crude forms of unarmed combat developed in the past.

Modern Taekwon-Do differs greatly from other martial arts. In fact, no other artial art is so advanced with regard to the sophistication and effectiveness of its technique or the over-all physical fitness it imparts to its practitioners. Technically, 1955 signaled the beginning of Taekwon-Do as a formally recognized art in Korea. During that year, a special board was formed which included leading master instructors, historians, and prominent leaders of society. A number of names for the new martial art were submitted. On the 11th of April, the board summoned by Gen. Choi Hong Hi, decided on the name of Taekwon-Do which had been submitted by him. This single unified name of Taekwon-Do replaced the different and confusing terms; Dang Soo, Gong Soo, Taek Kyon, Kwon Bup, etc.

In 1959, Taekwon-Do spread beyond its national boundaries. The father of Taekwon-Do and nineteen of his top black belt holders toured the Far East. The tour was a major success, astounding all spectators with the excellence of the Taekwon-Do techniques. Many of these black belt holders such as Nam Tae Hi, President of the Asia Taekwon-Do Federation;

Colonel Ko Jae Chun, the 5th Chief of Taekwon-Do instructors in Vietnam;

Colonel Baek Joon Gi, the 2nd Chief instructor in Vietnam; Brigadier

Gen. Woo Jong Lim; Mr. Han Cha Kyo, the Head Instructor in Singapore

and Mr. Cha Soo Young, presently an international instructor in Washington D.C. eventually went on to spread the art to the world.

In this year, Choi was elevated to two illustrious posts; President of his newly formed Korea Taekwon-Do Association and deputy commander of the 2nd Army in Tae Gu. In 1965 Ambassador Choi, retired two star general, was appointed by the Government of the Republic of Korea to lead a goodwill mission to West Germany, Italy, Turkey, United-Arab Republic, Malaysia, and Singapore. This trip is significant in that the Ambassador, for the first time in Korean history, declared Taekwon-Do as the national martial art of Korea.

 

This was the basis not only for establishing Taekwon-Do Associations in these countries but also the formation of the International Taekwon-Do Federation as it is known today. In 1966, the dream of the sickly young student of calligraphy, who rose to Ambassador and the Association President of the most respected martial art in the world came true. On the 22nd of March, the International Taekwon-Do Federation was formed with associations in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, the United States, Turkey, Italy, Arab Republic of Egypt and Korea.

 

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CHOI HONG-HI

Founder & President 1966-2002

NAM TAE-HI

Founding Member, 1st Promotion Committee Chairman, Past Vice President

KIM JONG-CHAN

Founding Member who was perhaps the most important person actually responsible for the logistics in setting up the ITF, 1st Chief Instructor of Instructor Courses, Designed ITF Crest & Plaque, Former Chairman of the Technique & Merger Committees, Past Secretary General, Instructor of the 1st International Umpire Course, Host of the 1st World Championships, Member of the 4th & 6th ITF Demo Teams, 1974 & 1979

KIM BOK-MAN

Founding Member who was perhaps the most important person in establishing bases for ITF Member Nations by teaching TKD throughout Southeast Asia & introducing TKD to Vietnam, Head of the 1st ITF Demo Team 1967-8

HAN CHA-KYO

Founding Member who introduced TKD by demonstrating in Vietnam in 1959 & on the Goodwill around the world in 1965, 1st Chairman of Planning Committee & Former Chairman of the Tournament Committee

PARK JONG-SOO

Founding Member who introduced TKD by demonstrating it on the Goodwill around the world in 1965, Past Secretary General, Member of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th ITF Demo Teams 1968, 1973 & 1974, Former Member of the Consultative Committee

PARK JUNG-TAE

Past Secretary General & Former Chairman of the ITF Instruction Committee, traveled worldwide as the Chief Instructor, Member of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th ITF Demo Teams, 1974 & 1978-81

RHEE KI-HA

Founding Member, Member of the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th ITF Demo Teams 1968, 73, 78, 79, 80, Host of the 4th World Championships, Past Vice President

KWON JAE-HWA

Founding Member who introduced TKD by demonstrating it on the Goodwill around the world in 1965, Member of the 2nd ITF Demo Team 1968, Former Chairman of the Discipline Committee

CHOI KWANG-JO

Founding Member, Member of the 1st ITF Demo Team 1967-8, Former Chief Instructor, Former Vice-Chair of Umpire Committee

CHOI CHANG-KEUN

Founding Member, Member of the 3rd & 5th, 6th ITF Demo Teams 1973, 78, 79, Former Chairman of Umpire Committee, Designed ITF Tree Logo

HWANG KWANG-SUNG

Former Chairman of Merger Committee, ITF Spokesperson & Special Assistant to Gen. Choi

KIM YOUNG-SOO

Founding Member, Former Chief Instructor

CHO SANG-MIN

Founding Member, Former Chief Instructor

KONG YONG-IL

Founding Member, Member of the 3rd ITF Demo Team 1973, Former Chairman of the Expansion Committee

PARK SUN-JAE

Founding Member, Member of the 2nd & 3rd ITF Demo Teams 1968, 1973

LEE SUK-HI

Past Vice President, Former Assistant Auditor, Member of the 4th & 7th ITF Demo Teams, 1974 & 1980

CHOI JUNG-HWA

Past Secretary General, Member of the 7th ITF Demo Team1980

CHUNG KWANG-DUK

Member of the 6th ITF Demo Team 1979, Former Special Advisor

CHARLES E. SEREFF

Past Vice President & Secretary General, Former Chairman of Collegiate & Promotion Committees, Member of the 7th ITF Demo Team 1980

VAN BINH NYUGEN

Founding Member, Chairman of the Master’s Promotion Committee

LEE YOO-SUN

Founding Member, Member of 2nd ITF Demo Team 1968

KANG SHU-CHONG

Founding Member, Past Vice President, Former Chairman of Title Committee

YUN YOUNG-KU

Member of the 1st ITF Demo Team 1967-8, Former Chief Instructor & Chairman of Merger Committee

THOMAS MacCALLUM

Former long term Under-Secretary General & Secretary General, Treasurer

LEONG WAI MENG

Member of the 5th ITF Demo Team, Former Chairman of the Consultative Committee

KIM KWANG-IL

Founding Member & Member of the 2nd & 4th ITF Demo Teams, 1968 & 1974

YU HONG-SUNG

Former Chairman of the Promotion Committee, Member of the 4th ITF Demo Team 1974

HAN SAM-SOO

Former Chairman of the Umpire Committee, Member of the 4th & 7th ITF Demo Teams 1974 & 1980

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