Although Taekwondo was first developed over 20 centuries ago in Korea, it was not officially recognized as a system of self-defense until the 1950's when a group of leading Korean martial artists came together and unified their various art forms under a single style of hand and feet fighting. They named this martial art Taekwondo, and in the last 30 years have developed it into one of the most effective styles of unarmed self-defense in the world.

Taekwondo is also a free-fighting combat sport in which an individual uses his or her bare hands and feet to repel an opponent. Taekwondo literally means the "way of kicking and punching." It consists of sharp, strong angular movements with free flowing circular movements to produce a balance of beauty and power. With the addition of Taekwondo's trademark kicking techniques (or rather taekkyon's kicking techniques) it is a complete system of self-defense and personal improvement. All of its activities are based on the defensive attitude that originally developed for protection against enemy attacks.

The most important fact about Taekwondo is that it is both a superior art of self-defense and a technique of mental discipline. It gives its practitioners self-confidence that provides an advantage over a mentally weaker opponent. This mental characteristic along with the physical ability is beneficial to the mental life of individuals as well as to their families and friends. With its practical means of self defense, its complete regimen of physical conditioning, and its aid to improved concentration and mental performances, Taekwondo offers a total fitness program integrating mind, body and spirit.

Today, Taekwondo is the most recognized Korean Martial Art, and a popular international sport. It was a demonstration sport at the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympic Games, and will be a medal sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.