BackAn urgent call for a collective response to safeguard the true history of Taekwon-Do in regard to North Korea’s UNESCO application based on historical distortion

An urgent call for a collective response to safeguard the true history of Taekwon-Do in regard to North Korea’s UNESCO application based on historical distortion

To the presidents of International National Organizations (INOs) and Member Organizations (MOs) and Taekwon-Do leaders and practitioners across all Taekwon-Do groups

ITF are contacting you today to call for a collective response from the global Taekwon-Do community regarding an urgent and critical matter that poses a threat to the heritage, legitimacy, and true history of Taekwon-Do.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) has submitted an application to have Taekwon-Do inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The final evaluation is scheduled to take place from November 30 to December 5, 2026. In its official application, North Korea makes a claim that severely distorts history, asserting that "Taekwon-Do is a traditional martial art that has been passed down continuously and indigenously within the territory of North Korea since the Goguryeo era."

However, all of us who have pioneered and upheld the authentic ITF heritage are well aware of the clear historical truth. Taekwon-Do originated in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in 1955, founded and named by General Choi Hong-Hi, and was established upon a system of scientific biomechanics. In September 1980, President Choi Hong-Hi and a 15-member ITF demonstration team visited Pyongyang to perform Taekwon-Do. This was the first demonstration and introduction of Taekwon-Do to North Korea.

North Korea is attempting to monopolize Taekwon-Do as a global cultural heritage to serve its own political interests and regime propaganda. In doing so, it is deceiving UNESCO by fabricating a false history.

Currently, within South Korea, a "public-private joint operation" is underway, involving close coordination between the Korea Heritage Service (the competent government authority) and major domestic Taekwon-Do organizations, including Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo (WT), and the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA). However, this challenge cannot be won through efforts within South Korea alone. To counter and discredit North Korea’s campaign of historical distortion, we appeal to the global Taekwon-Do community to transcend organizational and political divisions and unite with a single message.

ITF issues this urgent call for the whole Taekwon-Do community throughout the world to participate and contribute to a global online petition which will evidence the North Korea distortion of history.

Please visit the online petition, link provided below, available via Google in Korean, English, and Spanish. We request that the leadership of each International National Organization (INO) and Member Organization (MO) distribute this petition link immediately to all their members, dojangs/clubs, instructors, students, and Taekwon-Do groups known to them. Every signature from our global Taekwon-Do community will serve as a powerful piece of evidence which will be submitted to the UNESCO Secretariat.

ITF extends this urgent call to protect and safeguard the authenticity of Taekwon-Do, the life’s work and legacy of our Founder, General Choi Hong Hi.

There are three weeks remaining before the UNESCO Committee convenes.  Our response needs to be coordinated and presented to the Committee by November 25.  To achieve this, the submission of the petition by the global Taekwon-Do community needs to be acted upon as a matter of urgency.

Let us demonstrate to the world the true power of our tenets: "Courtesy" - our first tenet, reflecting respect for historical truth - and "Indomitable Spirit" - our fifth tenet, which drives us to stand firm against the distortion of history. The swift response and determination you demonstrate in your respective nations will shape the future legacy of Taekwon-Do.

In the spirit of Taekwon-Do.

International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)

under the presidency of Choi Jung Hwa, son of Gen Choi Hong Hi

https://forms.gle/3TqUfF6cRDghdbh8A