The Origins of Taekwon‑Do: Why Our History Still Matters

Leanne Lolley
Jul 2
3 min read

At Sovereign Taekwon‑Do, every bow, pattern, and belt earned is part of something much bigger than ourselves. We’re not just learning martial techniques — we’re carrying forward a legacy built on resilience, leadership, and a deep belief that Taekwon‑Do is a way of life.

This blog is written not only to reflect on where we’ve come from, but to better understand how the art we practise today was shaped by extraordinary people, moments, and decisions — some traditional, some unconventional — all pivotal.

Post-War Korea: The Birthplace of Taekwon‑Do

After Korea was liberated from Japanese occupation in 1945, martial artists began returning home from Japan and China. They brought with them influences from Karate, Kung Fu, and other arts, which merged with native Korean traditions like Taekkyeon.

With Korea in ruins after World War II and the Korean War, training halls were few and far between. In some cases, makeshift dojangs were established in requisitioned buildings — including, famously, a former brothel used by the military. While surprising, this detail illustrates just how determined early Taekwon‑Do pioneers were. They taught wherever they could, with whatever resources they had.

It wasn’t glamour. It was grit.

The Kwans: Foundations of Modern Taekwon‑Do

From the mid-1940s onward, nine major martial arts schools — or kwans — emerged in Korea:

Chung Do Kwan
Moo Duk Kwan
Song Moo Kwan
Chang Moo Kwan
Oh Do Kwan
Jidokwan
Han Moo Kwan
Yun Moo Kwan
Kang Duk Won

Each kwan had its own lineage, philosophy, and technical emphasis. But together, they laid the technical and philosophical groundwork for what would soon become a unified Korean martial art.

1955: The Naming of Taekwon‑Do

On April 11, 1955, General Choi Hong Hi officially proposed the name Taekwon‑Do — “the way of the foot and the fist.” It represented a break from foreign influences and a vision for a uniquely Korean martial identity.

General Choi didn’t just found a name — he led a movement. He believed Taekwon‑Do should build not only powerful techniques, but moral character and a sense of civic duty.

“Taekwon‑Do is not a sport. It is a way of life.”— General Choi Hong Hi

1967: Taekwon‑Do Reaches the UK

One of Choi’s most trusted students, Rhee Ki‑Ha, was chosen to introduce Taekwon‑Do to the United Kingdom.

He left Korea in July 1967 as a 4th degree black belt — but by the time he landed at Heathrow, he had been promoted to 6th Dan. The promotion was made by General Choi himself during the flight, recognising that Rhee would need the senior rank and authority to lead and teach independently in a new country.

While that might seem unusual today, it followed a pattern in early Taekwon‑Do — where promotions were sometimes based on responsibility and contribution, not just time-in-rank. General Choi prioritised service to the art over time alone, and made decisions to enable Taekwon‑Do to grow in the right hands.

Rhee’s arrival marked the official beginning of Taekwon‑Do in the UK. He would go on to found the United Kingdom Taekwon‑Do Association (UKTA) and play a defining role in British martial arts history.

Why This History Matters to Sovereign TKD

We practise in modern dojangs, with structured syllabi and international networks — but our art was forged in hardship, creativity, and conviction.

At Sovereign TKD, we honour that legacy. That’s why:

We respect rank, but value integrity and service even more.
We study our patterns with the knowledge they were shaped by generations before us.
We teach not just what to do — but why it matters.

History helps us navigate the future. It keeps our standards honest, our spirit strong, and our path grounded.

Taekwon‑Do Today

From Seoul to London, from the kwans to our club floor, Taekwon‑Do continues to grow — carried forward by those who train with sincerity and lead with purpose.

Whether you’re tying a white belt or training for black belt, you’re part of a story that spans decades, continents, and countless lives changed for the better.

We’re proud to walk that path with you.