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Home / History of Taekwondo
The story behind the practice

History of
Taekwondo.

From a central headquarters in Seoul to a global martial art and way of life, Kukkiwon Taekwondo has grown through shared standards, disciplined practice and a commitment to benefiting humanity.

A unified global art

More than
a fighting style.

Kukkiwon Taekwondo represents the journey of a fragmented martial art evolving into a unified, global sport and way of life. Its history brings together a central headquarters, a shared certification system, standardized techniques and an Olympic path.

This page follows that journey through five connected themes: history, philosophy, technical standards, rank progression and global education.

A closer look at the timeline

Milestones
of unity.

From the first plans for a central headquarters to modern education and global outreach, each milestone helped Taekwondo become more connected and accessible.

LATE 1960s

A vision for a center

The Korea Taekwondo Association began developing the idea of a central headquarters to guide a growing national and international art.

NOV 1971

Construction begins

Construction of the Taekwondo Central Dojang began in Seoul.

30 NOV 1972

Kukkiwon opens

The Central Dojang officially opened, creating a permanent home for the developing Kukkiwon system.

6 FEB 1973

The name Kukkiwon

The Central Dojang was formally named Kukkiwon, marking a defining step toward a unified headquarters.

MAY 1973

First World Championships

The first World Taekwondo Championships brought 161 participants from 17 countries to Kukkiwon.

28 MAY 1973

Global sport takes shape

The World Taekwondo Federation was founded after the momentum of the first World Championships.

1974

Institutional foundation

Kukkiwon was registered as a corporate foundation and created its Taekwondo Demonstration Team for international promotion.

1978

The Kwans unite

Ten separate Taekwondo Kwans agreed to integrate under the Kukkiwon system, reducing factionalism and strengthening shared standards.

1982

World Taekwondo Academy

The instructor training center opened, laying the foundation for the World Taekwondo Academy and formal leader education.

1985

Certificates go digital

Kukkiwon introduced computerized Poom and Dan certificate issuance, modernizing the promotion system.

1986–1988

The Olympic path

Kukkiwon served as a training site for the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Seoul Olympics, helping Taekwondo move onto the Olympic stage.

1987–1991

Language and heritage

Terminology reform moved basic terms toward pure Korean language, and the Taekwondo Museum opened to preserve the art's history.

2009–2010

Education and shared language

The World Taekwondo Leaders Forum launched, certificate designs were revised and Kukkiwon published standardized technical terminology.

2022

A new reference work

A revised five-volume Taekwondo Textbook was released for the art's 50th anniversary, covering theory, basics, Poomsae, sparring and breaking.

2024

Global teaching continues

Kukkiwon instructors were serving in 54 countries, carrying Taekwondo education and Korean cultural exchange around the world.

Part 1 · History

Building a
center.

The story of Kukkiwon is the story of creating unity: bringing separate schools and traditions into a shared system that could be taught, practiced and recognized around the world.

1971–1979 · FOUNDING YEARS

From Central Dojang to Kukkiwon

Construction of the Taekwondo Central Dojang began in November 1971, and the building officially opened as Kukkiwon on November 30, 1972. It was formally named Kukkiwon on February 6, 1973.

1973 · GLOBAL AMBITION

The first World Championships

Kukkiwon hosted the 1st World Taekwondo Championships in May 1973, welcoming 161 participants from 17 countries. The event helped lead to the founding of the World Taekwondo Federation on May 28, 1973.

1974–1978 · UNITY

A shared institutional home

Kukkiwon became a corporate foundation in 1974, and its demonstration team began promoting Taekwondo internationally. In 1978, ten separate Kwans agreed to integrate under Kukkiwon's system, reducing factionalism.

Part 1 · Continued

Standardization
and expansion.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Kukkiwon focused on professionalizing the art and making its instruction and promotion systems more consistent.

1982

Instructor training

The Taekwondo Instructor Training Center, now the World Taekwondo Academy, opened to develop qualified leaders.

1985–1988

Modern promotion and the Olympic path

Kukkiwon began computerized Poom and Dan certificate issuance in 1985. It was designated as a training site for the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

1987–1991

Language and heritage

Basic terminology shifted toward pure Korean terms in 1987, and the Taekwondo Museum opened in 1991 to preserve the art's history.

2000–PRESENT

A modern global network

Kukkiwon expanded cultural and educational programs, launched the World Taekwondo Leaders Forum in 2009, and continued updating certificates and technical terminology for worldwide instruction.

Part 2 · Philosophy

Overcome
yourself.

The official Kukkiwon spirit of Taekwondo is rooted in two connected ideas: overcoming oneself and benefiting humanity.

“The correct way to use all parts of the body to stop conflict and help build a better, more peaceful world.”

Geukgi, or overcoming oneself, asks practitioners to keep breaking through their own limits. Hongik, or benefiting humanity, asks us to use the strength gained through training to build harmony and serve our communities.

Perseverance

Endure and overcome physical and psychological difficulty during training.

Courage

Face challenges without yielding to unjust pressure or temptation.

Courtesy

Practice humility toward oneself and respect and care for others.

Justice

Think beyond the self and act with consideration for everyone.

Service

Take actions that benefit society and the wider world.

“Do” means the way or discipline. Through training, Taekwondo seeks unity of body and mind, inner peace and a more harmonious society.

Part 3 · Technical framework

A shared
language.

For Taekwondo to become a unified global art, Kukkiwon standardized techniques and terminology so practitioners could share a common language.

2010 · TERMINOLOGY

138 core terms

Kukkiwon published a standardized technical terminology book, selecting 138 core terms and a consistent Korean-based naming system.

1987 · 2005 · 2022 · TEXTBOOKS

The Taekwondo Textbook

The first edition appeared in 1987, followed by an expanded version in 2005. A revised five-volume edition was released in 2022, covering theory, basics, Poomsae, sparring and breaking.

Part 4 · Rank system

Poom
and Dan.

Kukkiwon's globally recognized rank system distinguishes junior and senior black belts and provides a shared path of progression.

Gup

Colored belt levels, typically from 10th to 1st Gup, develop basic movements, Poomsae, kicking and foundational character education.

Poom

Junior black-belt ranks for practitioners under 15 years old, from 1st to 4th Poom.

Dan

Senior black-belt ranks for practitioners 15 and older, from 1st to 9th Dan, with honorary and posthumous categories.

Progression

Promotion includes minimum training times and age requirements. More than 12 million Poom and Dan certificates have been issued.

Part 5 · Global outreach

Teaching
the world.

Kukkiwon's role extends beyond certification. It is also a center for education, cultural exchange and international leadership.

World Taekwondo Academy

Established in 1982, the WTA trains international masters, Para-Taekwondo instructors and Poom-Dan examiners. More than 80,000 leaders have graduated from its programs.

Overseas dispatch

Since 2009, Kukkiwon masters have taught in developing and strategic countries. As of 2024, instructors were serving in 54 countries.

Developing nations

Specialized multi-week courses help instructors build sustainable local Taekwondo networks through theory, practice and teaching methodology.

The continuing journey

Train with
purpose.

Kukkiwon Taekwondo is more than a martial art. Through its history, philosophy, standardized techniques, structured rank system and worldwide outreach, it has become a discipline for personal development, cultural exchange and global unity.

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forward.

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