Taekwondo is much more than a martial art; it is a living piece of Korean history and culture that has conquered the world.
Ancient Roots (1st century BC – 20th century)
The origins of Taekwondo date back over 2,000 years. In the Three Kingdoms period of Korea (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla), warriors practiced indigenous martial arts such as Subak and Taekkyeon; unarmed combat systems that combined powerful kicks, hand strikes, throws, and joint locks. Wall paintings in royal tombs from the Goguryeo era (37 BC–668 AD) clearly show fighters using high kicks and stances very similar to modern Taekwondo.
During the Silla Kingdom, the elite youth group known as Hwarang (“Flower Knights”) developed a code of honor and perfected these fighting techniques to defend the kingdom. Taekkyeon, with its fluid and rhythmic movements, became a popular folk art and the direct ancestor of today’s kicking techniques.
Japanese Occupation and the Dark Years (1910–1945)
When Japan occupied Korea, traditional Korean martial arts were banned. Many masters were forced to train in secret or fled to China and Japan, where they studied Karate, Kung-fu, and other systems. This period created an unexpected fusion: Korean masters absorbed the structure and discipline of Japanese Karate while preserving the emphasis on high, fast, and spectacular kicks that always distinguished Korean arts.
Birth of Modern Taekwondo (1945–1970s)
After Korea’s liberation in 1945, the various schools (called “Kwans”) began to reopen:
• Chung Do Kwan
• Moo Duk Kwan
• Jidokwan
• Chang Moo Kwan
• Song Do Kwan
• Oh Do Kwan (military style)
In 1955, General Choi Hong-hi and other masters officially chose the name Taekwondo (“Tae” = foot/kick, “Kwon” = fist, “Do” = way/path) to unify the art and give it a distinct Korean identity.
Two major organizations emerged:
• ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) – founded by Gen. Choi Hong-hi in 1966 (more traditional, sine-wave movement).
• WT (World Taekwondo, formerly WTF) – founded in 1973, headquartered at Kukkiwon in Seoul, which became the official style for the Olympic Games.
Taekwondo Becomes an Olympic Sport
• 1988 Seoul Olympics – Taekwondo as demonstration sport
• 2000 Sydney Olympics – Official Olympic medal sport
Today it is practiced by over 100 million people in more than 210 countries and is one of the most popular martial arts on the planet.
Taekwondo Today at Área TKD
We proudly follow the World Taekwondo (WT/Kukkiwon) curriculum, the same used in the Olympics. Every poomsae, kick, and value we teach comes directly from this rich tradition that began over two millennia ago in the mountains and palaces of ancient Korea and now lives in our dojang through you, our students.
The journey of Taekwondo is not finished; it continues every time you step onto the mat and bow with respect.
Let’s keep writing this history together. 🥋