VKC of Austin - History
The History Of Taekwondo is important to practitioners of the art for several reasons. Modern
times have presented opportunities to less than qualified individuals to open martial art
schools. It is important for students to research the background of their potential teacher to
insure they are not studying a diluted version of the art.
The first evidence of martial arts practice in Korea dates back to 3 BC. Mural paintings and
rock carvings from the Koguryo dynasty show people engaged in sparring. In the Silla kingdom
during roughly the same time period, Taekkyon (an ancestor of Taekwondo) was practiced by
the Hwarang, a group of nobel and educated young men who were a main force in the
unification of the three kingdoms of Korea. During the Koryo period (starting in 918 AD), Subak
(another ancestor of Taekwondo) was very popular and was a spectator sport in addition to
being a martial art. Subak reached the peak of its popularity during the reign of King Uijong
(1147-1170 AD).
During the Japanese occupation in the first half of the 20th century, martial arts training was
forbidden in Korea, and much of the documentation of martial arts history was destroyed.
Practitioners still continued training in secret, passing from Father to son, preserving the
distinctive style of Korean martial arts.
In the years following the liberation of Korea at the end of WWII, martial arts was freely practiced
in the form of Kwans. These Kwans were eventually united under the teaching of General Choi
Hong Hi as the art of Taekwondo.
When he was young, General Choi was taught Taekkyon by his calligraphy teacher. In 1937,
he traveled to Japan to further his education. While he was there, he studied Karate and
achieved the rank of first-degree black belt. In January of 1946, he was promoted to second
lieutenant in the Korean army, and used that as a platform to spread his mixture of Taekkyon
and Karate. By the end of the Korean War, Choi had climbed the ranks until he was in command
of the entire 5th infantry division. In 1955, Taekwondo was formally recognized by the Korean
government. In 1961, Gen. Choi made Taekwondo required study for all soldiers and police
officers in Korea. The Practice of Taekwondo spread to American soldiers during the Vietnam
war. During his tour, Grandmaster Villareal studied directly under General Choi. Since then, the
International Taekwondo Federation has spread Gen. Choi’s style of Taekwondo worldwide.
The History Of Taekwondo is important to practitioners of the art for several reasons. Modern
times have presented opportunities to less than qualified individuals to open martial art
schools. It is important for students to research the background of their potential teacher to
insure they are not studying a diluted version of the art.
The first evidence of martial arts practice in Korea dates back to 3 BC. Mural paintings and
rock carvings from the Koguryo dynasty show people engaged in sparring. In the Silla kingdom
during roughly the same time period, Taekkyon (an ancestor of Taekwondo) was practiced by
the Hwarang, a group of nobel and educated young men who were a main force in the
unification of the three kingdoms of Korea. During the Koryo period (starting in 918 AD), Subak
(another ancestor of Taekwondo) was very popular and was a spectator sport in addition to
being a martial art. Subak reached the peak of its popularity during the reign of King Uijong
(1147-1170 AD).
During the Japanese occupation in the first half of the 20th century, martial arts training was
forbidden in Korea, and much of the documentation of martial arts history was destroyed.
Practitioners still continued training in secret, passing from Father to son, preserving the
distinctive style of Korean martial arts.
In the years following the liberation of Korea at the end of WWII, martial arts was freely practiced
in the form of Kwans. These Kwans were eventually united under the teaching of General Choi
Hong Hi as the art of Taekwondo.
When he was young, General Choi was taught Taekkyon by his calligraphy teacher. In 1937,
he traveled to Japan to further his education. While he was there, he studied Karate and
achieved the rank of first-degree black belt. In January of 1946, he was promoted to second
lieutenant in the Korean army, and used that as a platform to spread his mixture of Taekkyon
and Karate. By the end of the Korean War, Choi had climbed the ranks until he was in command
of the entire 5th infantry division. In 1955, Taekwondo was formally recognized by the Korean
government. In 1961, Gen. Choi made Taekwondo required study for all soldiers and police
officers in Korea. The Practice of Taekwondo spread to American soldiers during the Vietnam
war. During his tour, Grandmaster Villareal studied directly under General Choi. Since then, the
International Taekwondo Federation has spread Gen. Choi’s style of Taekwondo worldwide.
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