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| What is the “World Taekwondo Federation”? |
By:
Sung Il Oh |
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This question begs a companion question. Asking “What is the “World Taekwondo Federation” (WTF), compels a military arts practitioner to also ask “What is it not”?
According to its own website: “The World Taekwondo Federation is the International Federation (IF) governing the sport of Taekwondo and is a member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) recognizes national Taekwondo governing bodies recognized by the NOC [Editor’s Note: National Olympic Committee] in the pertinent country, one in each country, as its members.”
There is a great deal of puffery on the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) website about the history of the military art of Taekwondo, etc., but this has nothing to do with the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was formed in 1973, for the specific purpose of having the new national sport of the Republic of Korea (ROK) – KukKi Taekwondo – recognized as an Olympic sport.
The headquarters for the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was KukKiWon, the KukKi Taekwondo training center of the Korean Amateur Sports Association (KASA), the association, a private corporation, owned by Un Young Kim. Kim was designated to be the President of the new World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) by the President of the ROK, specifically because of his experience and expertise as a successful businessman in the field of amateur sports.
Un Young Kim was not a military arts practitioner. He did hold a rank in the military art of Taekwondo, as a result of his mandatory national (military) service. But, it was the same rank held by virtually every other Korean male upon completion of this required service. Taekwondo is the basis for the physical fitness program of the Korean army.
All of the authority derived by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) comes from its position as a member of ASOIF. It is purely a sports body. Its member bodies throughout the world are sports bodies.
KukKi Taekwondo may be derived from a martial art, but KukKi Taekwondo, the Olympic sport of Taekwondo is NOT a martial art. Any assertion to the contrary, by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) or by any of the World Taekwondo Federation’s (WTF) member organizations, at last count consisting of 188 countries is……. well…….. a lie.
The home of the traditional Korean military arts is Korea. The traditional Korean military arts are well regulated in Korea, under law. There is a governing body for the military arts in Korea. To be recognized as a legitimate military art in Korea, one must be recognized by, and be an active member of, this governing body.
KukKi Taekwondo, the Olympic sport of Taekwondo, is NOT recognized by the governing body for military arts in Korea. Thus, the Olympic sport of Taekwondo is NOT a Korean martial art.
The Olympic sport of Taekwondo may NOT lay legitimate claim to the practice, traditions, lineage, heritage, or body of knowledge, of the military art of Taekwondo. This is true for the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), and is true for the 188 national member bodies of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).
Being a Summer Olympics Gold Medal winner in swimming does not make one a naval frogman. Being a Winter Olympics Gold Medal winner in cross-country skiing does not make one a military ski trooper. Being a World Games Gold Medal winner in Ju-Jitsu does not make one an army commando. And, being an amateur athlete in the Olympic sport of KukKi Taekwondo does not make one a martial arts practitioner.
About the author: Sung Il Oh is the Executive Director of the Korean Military Arts Federation and a recognized expert of Korean healing techniques and natural medicine. He can be contacted at www.MilitaryArts.kr |
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