BackThe Choi Family Legacy

Gen Choi founded Taekwon-Do on 11th April 1955.  Throughout the early years, Gen Choi and his appointed representatives, both Taekwon-Do practitioners and political figures who could assist, disseminated the art he founded around the world.  

Calligraphy, early books, symbols and logos were created or inspired by the Founder reflecting the roots and history of the development of Taekwon-Do.  On 22nd March 1966 Gen Choi formed the International Taekwon-Do Federation to manage the administration of Taekwon-Do (Chang-Ung).  The International Taekwon-Do Federation is not a style of Taekwon-Do but an administrative body that reflects Gen Choi’s teachings and system of accreditation.  Logos, books, and encyclopedia are the property of the Choi family.  We are all fully aware that whilst Gen Choi was alive, he did not restrict the use of any of his intellectual property as he believed Taekwon-Do is for everybody, which through natural personal development, would guide and direct members to the ITF for accreditation, recognition and inclusion in both martial arts or competitive events.

It is of noteworthy that individuals and groups around the world have taken it upon themselves to register logos, encyclopedia, calligraphy, etc, as theirs having received no authority from the Choi family to do this.  Groups and organisations are currently trying to prevent members of the ITF Choi family from using such intellectual property which we, as the ITF, find disquieting.  Through Gen Choi’s time as the president of the ITF, and now Choi Jung Hwa’s presidency, at no time has an objection been raised anywhere in the world against Taekwon-Do practitioners not in current membership of ITF to prevent them from using this property.

Today we find ourselves challenged by non-members of the ITF Choi family trying to enforce fraudulently registered trademarks against the owners, the Choi family.

The ITF will of course offer support to individual ITF members who are currently faced with legal action by the non-members and will stand fast in our continued recognition and honouring of Gen Choi’s wishes that Taekwon-Do and all intellectual property associated with it is for the benefit of everyone in the world.

Taekwon-Do and the International Taekwon-Do Federation are the Choi family legacy.  The current President is Choi Jung Hwa, the son of Gen Choi.  Madame Choi formally confirms that Choi Jung Hwa is the current custodian of all the Choi family Taekwon-Do assets.  People will call themselves ITF with the addition of caveats trying to legitimize their claims, even changing the original logos.  However, for us, the ITF Choi family can never be questioned as the true owners.  If an organisation does not have Choi family bloodline or appointed Choi family representatives, it does not have the credibility of that of the Founder.