History
History of Taekwondo: Timeline From the Kwans to the Olympics
Taekwondo took its modern shape in Korea between 1944 and 1973, then reached the Olympic Games in 2000. Here is the timeline, the people and the debate over its roots.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 26, 2026Modern taekwondo grew out of the Korean martial arts schools called kwans, which opened between 1944 and 1946 after Japanese rule ended. The name taekwondo was proposed in 1955, and the Korea Taekwondo Association formed in 1959. The ITF was founded in 1966 and the World Taekwondo Federation in 1973. Taekwondo became an Olympic medal sport in 2000 and a Paralympic sport in Tokyo, held in 2021.
| Original kwans | Chung Do Kwan, Song Moo Kwan, Moo Duk Kwan, Chang Moo Kwan, then Oh Do Kwan (1953) and Kang Duk Won (1956) |
|---|---|
| Name proposed | 1955, by General Choi Hong Hi |
| KTA formed | 1959 |
| ITF founded | 1966 |
| Kukkiwon built | 1971 to 1972, Seoul |
| World Taekwondo founded | 1973 (named WTF until 2017) |
| IOC recognition | 1980 |
| Olympic medal sport | 2000 |
| National martial art of South Korea | 2018 |
The short version
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art known for its kicks. It was built in the years after 1945 from several schools, each with its own mix of Korean fighting traditions and imported karate. In 1955 a committee chose the name taekwondo, and the schools joined a national association in 1959. A split in the 1960s and 1970s produced two main styles, ITF and World Taekwondo, which still run separate organizations today.
The original kwans (1944 to 1956)
Japan ruled Korea until 1945. After that, instructors opened schools called kwans in Seoul. Founding dates vary a little between sources, so the years below are approximate.
| Kwan | Founded (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Chung Do Kwan | 1944 |
| Song Moo Kwan | 1944, reopened 1946 |
| Moo Duk Kwan | 1945 |
| Chang Moo Kwan | 1946 |
| Oh Do Kwan | 1953 |
| Kang Duk Won | 1956 |
Lee Won Kuk founded Chung Do Kwan, Hwang Kee founded Moo Duk Kwan, and Choi Hong Hi and Nam Tae Hi founded Oh Do Kwan. Each kwan taught its own techniques, and students trained under their kwan name rather than a shared style. Read more about the men who led them in Taekwondo grandmasters.
How taekwondo got its name
In 1952 South Korean president Syngman Rhee watched a demonstration by Choi Hong Hi and Nam Tae Hi, and the army began teaching the art. In 1955 Choi proposed the name taekwondo, which joins tae (foot), kwon (fist) and do (the way). The name was chosen because it sounded close to the old Korean word taekkyeon. The Korea Taekwondo Association formed in 1959, and the nine kwans agreed to use the name.
Timeline of key dates
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1944 to 1946 | First kwans open in Seoul |
| 1952 | Syngman Rhee sees an army demonstration led by Choi Hong Hi and Nam Tae Hi |
| 1955 | Choi Hong Hi proposes the name taekwondo |
| 1959 | Korea Taekwondo Association forms and nine kwans adopt the name |
| 1966 | International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) founded |
| 1967 to 1971 | Palgwae forms developed by the KTA; deprecated by 1971 in favor of the Taegeuk set |
| 1971 to 1972 | Kukkiwon, the national taekwondo academy, built in Seoul |
| 1972 | ITF headquarters moves to Toronto |
| 1973 | World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) founded |
| 1980 | IOC recognizes World Taekwondo |
| 1988 | Demonstration sport at the Seoul Olympics, repeated in 1992 |
| 1994 | IOC chooses taekwondo as a medal sport |
| 2000 | First Olympic medal events, Sydney |
| 2010 | Commonwealth Games |
| 2017 | WTF renames itself World Taekwondo |
| 2018 | Taekwondo named the national martial art of South Korea |
| 2021 | Paralympic debut in Tokyo |
The ITF and WT split
General Choi Hong Hi founded the ITF in 1966 and moved its base to Toronto in 1972. The Korean government backed a different body, and the WTF followed in 1973 with Kukkiwon as its home. The two groups developed different forms, rules and sparring styles.
| ITF | World Taekwondo / Kukkiwon | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1966 | 1973 |
| Forms | 24 Chang-Hon patterns (tul) | 8 Taegeuk and 9 Yudanja poomsae |
| Home base | Toronto from 1972 | Kukkiwon, Seoul |
| Olympics | Not an Olympic sport body | Olympic and Paralympic sport |
| Learn more | ITF patterns | Taegeuk poomsae |
Path to the Olympics
The IOC recognized World Taekwondo in 1980. Taekwondo was shown as a demonstration sport at Seoul in 1988 and again in 1992. In 1994 the IOC chose it as a medal sport, and the first medals were awarded at Sydney in 2000. Para taekwondo reached the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. For rules and scoring, see Olympic taekwondo and competition rules.
Where taekwondo comes from: two views
Historians do not agree on how much of taekwondo is old and how much is new.
| View | Claim | Supporters |
|---|---|---|
| Traditionalist | Taekwondo grew from Korean arts such as taekkyeon and subak, so its roots go back centuries | Promoted by the South Korean government |
| Revisionist | Several founders trained in Japanese karate, and early kwans taught karate-based techniques; this is described as the prevailing view among historians | Many historians outside the official line |
For how it compares with its closest relative, read taekwondo vs karate.
Why history matters in class
History explains why your school teaches certain forms, wears certain uniforms and belongs to a certain organization. If you want to compete, know whether your school follows ITF or World Taekwondo rules. If you want a Kukkiwon black belt, read Kukkiwon certification next.
Frequently asked questions
When was taekwondo created?
Modern taekwondo took shape between 1944 and 1959. The name was proposed in 1955 and the national association formed in 1959.
Who founded taekwondo?
No single founder. General Choi Hong Hi proposed the name and founded the ITF, while the kwan founders such as Lee Won Kuk and Hwang Kee created the early schools.
What does taekwondo mean?
Tae means foot, kwon means fist and do means the way.
When did taekwondo become an Olympic sport?
It became a medal sport in 2000 at Sydney, after demonstration appearances in 1988 and 1992.
What is the difference between ITF and WT taekwondo?
They are separate organizations with different forms and rules. ITF uses 24 patterns. World Taekwondo uses Taegeuk and Yudanja poomsae.
What is Kukkiwon?
The national taekwondo academy in Seoul, built in 1971 and 1972, which issues the most widely recognized black belt certificates.
When did taekwondo join the Paralympics?
At the Tokyo Paralympics, held in 2021.
Is taekwondo the national martial art of South Korea?
Yes, since 2018.