Taekwondo is the unique Korean martial art that utilizes the entire body for the purpose of unarmed self-defense. This art has been independently developed for about 20 centuries in Korea.

It is the most effective method of self-defense, and is organized scientifically in order to defend against an aggressor's attack and offend to the vital spots on the opponent by using all parts of the body. All of its activities are based on systematically designed moderate exercises for all people, male, female, young, old, big, small, strong, and week. Taekwondo is not only good for self-defense, but also good for physical fitness, as a sport, and as a hobby.

The most important fact about Taekwondo as a martial art is that it is not only a superior art of self-defense, but it adds remarkable personality, self-confidence, self-control, self-discipline, coordination, courage, patience, and respect to its practitioners through its training and practical activities. Self-Confidence makes people generous in their attitude toward weaker people. They can stand equally against any opponent, but their code forbids unfair assaults or unnecessary use of force. The practice of Taekwondo gives an individual the mental attitude of modesty. The virtue of modesty and generosity are fundamentally based on self-confidence. It is obvious that healthy bodies make men and women active and powerful. Such mental and physical self-confidence are beneficial to the mental life of an individual, their family, neighbors, and their society.

In Korea, Taekwondo is a national sport. It is taught in schools, all military academies, and most educational institutions as a credit course for the purpose of National health and mental training. Over 60 countries all around the world have started in this Korean martial art within the last 18 years.

Many people in this country are confused about the different oriental martial arts. When we mention oriental martial arts, we must remember that TAE KWON DO is the Korean style, Karate is the Japanese style, and Kung Fu is the Chinese style.

Translated from Korean, TAE literally means jump, kick, or smash with the foot. KWON denotes a fist-to-punch or hit with the hand or fist. DO means art, way, or method. Those taken collectively, Taekwondo art of foot and hand, indicates the technique of unarmed combat for self-defense using hands, fist and feet.
 
The origin of Taekwondo can be traced back to thc Koguryo dynasty, founded in 37 B.C. Mural paintings found in the ruins of the royal tombs built by that dynasty show signs of Tae Kwon Do practice.

Tae Kwon Do was also practiced during thc Silla dynasty. Silla was a kingdom found in the southeastern part of the land some 20 years before Koguryo in the north (57 B.C.) . Silla was famous for its Hwarang-Do, the knights who trained their bodies and minds by devoting themselves to hunting, study and training martial art, they trained in Tae Kyon (an old name for Taekwondo).

Taekwondo retained its popularity after the Koguryo and Silla dynasties through the Koryo dynasty, that was founded in 918 A.D., and continued for 475 years, and through YI dynasty after that.

In history of Koryo, Taekwondo, which was then termed "Subak", was practiced not only as a skill to improve health or a sports activity but it was also encouraged as a martial art of considerably high value.

Taekwondo development in modern times began with the Korean liberation in 1945. After that, a number of Koreans who were interested in Tae Kwon Do began trying to revitalize the traditional sport of Tae Kwon Do.

Thus, Taekwondo has grown as a unique Korean self-defense art for about 20 centuries.
The popularity and enthusiasm for Taekwondo are not only domestic but worldwide because of the dominate superiority of Taekwondo over any other kind of self-defense arts in the world. Furthermore, its evolution and development as an international amateur sport has experienced rapid growth. More than 1000 Korean instructors are teaching Taekwondo in more than 60 countries.