BackITF and PTF/KT Sign Historic MOU to Unite Traditional and Professional Taekwondo

Date: November 8, 2025

Location: Baguio City, Philippines

ITF and PTF/KT Sign Historic MOU to Unite Traditional and Professional Taekwondo

A historic milestone was achieved in global Taekwondo as the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), led by President Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, and the Professional Taekwondo Federation (PTF) together with Kombat Taekwondo (KT), officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation, recognition, and worldwide partnership.

The signing ceremony took place during the Inaugural PTF Hall of Fame Awards & Gala, held on November 8, 2025, at 8:30 PM at the ION Hotel in Baguio City, Philippines, attended by Taekwondo leaders, national presidents, and grand masters representing every style and region of the world.

Under this landmark agreement, PTF and KT formally recognize Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa as the only official President of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) — the true lineage and original ITF founded by his father, General Choi Hong Hi, the Founder and Father of Taekwon-Do.

In return, the ITF officially recognizes Kombat Taekwondo (KT) as the world’s professional Taekwondo league, pledging its full support for ITF athletes to compete and participate in KT professional events.

This historic alliance unites the traditional and professional branches of Taekwondo, preserving the art’s authentic heritage while creating new opportunities for collaboration, education, and competition across the globe.

Statements from the Leaders

Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, President of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), stated:

“This partnership with the Professional Taekwondo Federation and Kombat Taekwondo is a meaningful step forward for the global Taekwondo family. My father, General Choi Hong Hi, created Taekwon-Do to unite people through discipline, respect, and peace. Today, we continue that mission together — uniting tradition and the future of Taekwon-Do as one.”

Rick W. Shin, President of the Professional Taekwondo Federation (PTF) and Kombat Taekwondo (KT), said:

“The Professional Taekwondo Federation and Kombat Taekwondo would not exist today without the legacy of General Choi Hong Hi and the International Taekwon-Do Federation he founded. We stand firmly committed to honoring that legacy — by offering our full support, cooperation, and recognition to the original and only true ITF under President Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa.”

This partnership represents the true unification of Taekwondo’s roots and its future — honoring the authentic lineage of the founder through Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa’s ITF, and advancing the sport’s evolution through traditional Taekwon-Do, PTF and Kombat Taekwondo’s professional global platform.

Taekwon!