Choi Hong-hi

Biography

Choi Hong-hi (1918-2002) was a South Korean Army general and martial artist who became one of the most influential yet controversial figures in the development of taekwondo. Born in Myongchon County during the Japanese occupation of Korea, he pursued his education at Chuo University in Japan before embarking on a military career that would span several decades. His experiences in both traditional Korean martial arts and his exposure to other fighting systems during his time in Japan would later inform his systematic approach to developing taekwondo as a distinct martial art.

As a general in the South Korean Army, Choi held significant positions of authority and used his military influence to promote and standardize taekwondo training among Korean forces. He founded the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) in 1966, establishing the first international governing body for the martial art and creating a structured curriculum that emphasized both physical techniques and philosophical principles. His technical innovations included the development of specific patterns, or tul, which became fundamental training tools for practitioners worldwide.

Choi's approach to taekwondo emphasized scientific principles of movement, power generation, and technique execution. He authored multiple volumes documenting the art's techniques, history, and philosophy, creating what many consider the definitive technical manual for traditional taekwondo. His systematic methodology helped distinguish taekwondo from other martial arts and provided a foundation for its global expansion during the latter half of the 20th century.

The most controversial aspect of Choi's career came in 1972 when he relocated to North Korea, bringing taekwondo with him and establishing training programs there. This decision created a lasting schism within the taekwondo community, with some organizations viewing him as a traitor while others continued to recognize his foundational contributions to the art. He spent his final decades in Pyongyang, where he continued to teach and promote his vision of taekwondo until his death in 2002. His legacy remains deeply divided, with the ITF and its affiliated schools maintaining his status as the founder of taekwondo, while other major organizations have largely removed him from their official histories.