taekwondo philosophy essay

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taekwondo philosophy essay

Philosophy of Taekwon-do

Philosophy of taekwon-do.

Philosophy of Taekwon-do

As an Oriental martial art, the Korean style of Taekwon-Do borrows much of it’s philosophy and ideals from ancient eastern culture and wisdom.

In recent years, there has been an upsurge in violence and a loss of morality in all levels of society, especially among the young. There are, of course a number of reasons for this.

Many psychologists today feel that this problem stems from frustration. Analysts, on the other hand, point out that these misguided people are indeed a disillusioned segment of society searching for values and relevance in what they consider deceitful, materialistic, and absurd world of wars and decadence.

Unfortunately, however, instead of constructively channeling their extraordinary energy and potential, far too many strike out in blind anger, destroying rather than building, or merely running away from it all by isolating themselves with drugs and their own worlds of fantasy. Presently, the tendency of “the stronger preying upon the weaker” appears to be at its peak. Frankly, the present world closely resembles a “corrupt age.”

It is obvious that this phenomenon of society is not merely because of the struggle for survival, but mainly because of an overdeveloped material and scientific civilization. The former misleads the young to the extreme materialism or egoism, while the latter seized human beings with fear, though playing an essential role in public welfare.

Then what would be the remedy? Needles to say it is the development of moral civilization – the proper mental states of a human being as the lord of creation, enough to prevail or at least keep abreast with the development of material and scientific civilization.

The utmost purpose of Taekwon-Do is to eliminate fighting by discouraging the stronger’s oppression of the weaker with a power that must be based on humanity, justice, morality, wisdom and faith, thus helping to build a better and more peaceful world.

All men, regardless of age, have felt that death is a shame, and lamented that they cannot live as long as the pine trees or the turtles that seem to live a thousand years. Righteous men, on the other hand, deplore the fact that justice does not always triumph over the tyranny of power. However, there are two ways to deal with these problems: The former, through mental discipline, the latter, through physical training. It is my firm belief that through Taekwon-Do, anyone can garner enough strength to become a guardian of justice, to challenge social disunity and, to cultivate the human spirit to the highest level attainable. It is in this spirit, I am dedicating the art of Taekwon-Do to the people of the world.

The philosophy of Taekwon-Do is based on the ethical, moral, and spiritual standards by which men can live together in harmony, and its art patterns are inspired by the ideals and exploits of great men from Korean history. Korea’s famous military and civil leaders who in nearly five thousand years of Korean history have never invaded their neighbor yet who fought bravely and made great self-sacrifices to defend their homeland against invading enemies. I also include the names of patriots who willingly gave up their lives to regain Korea’s freedom and independence from the Japanese occupation.

Each Tul (pattern) of Taekwon-Do expresses the thoughts and the actions of these great men, so the students of Taekwon-Do must reflect the true intentions of those whose name each Tul bears. Therefore, under no circumstances should Taekwon-Do be used for any commercial or political purpose whatsoever.

I have set forth the following philosophy and guidelines which will be the cornerstone of Taekwon-Do and by which all serious students of this art are encouraged to live.

  • Be willing to go where the going may be tough and do the things that are worth doing even though they are difficult.
  • Be gentle to the weak and tough to the strong.
  • Be content with what you have in money and position but never in skills.
  • Always finish what you begin, be it large or small.
  • Be a willing teacher to anyone regardless of religion, race or ideology.
  • Never yield to repression or threat in the pursuit of a noble cause.
  • Teach attitude and skill with action rather than words.
  • Always be yourself even though your circumstances may change.
  • Be the eternal teacher who teaches with the body when young, with words when old, and by moral precept even after death.

Philosophy also covers the following aspects :

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taekwondo philosophy essay

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The Psychosocial Effects of Taekwondo Training: A Meta-Analysis

1 Department of Physical Education, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea; moc.liamg@psmikzu

Seung-Hui Baek

2 Department of Health Exercise Management, Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul 02844, Korea; rk.ca.nihsgnus@001hs

Jong-Beom Park

3 Taekwondo Research Institute of Kukkiwon, Seoul 06130, Korea; ten.liamnah@7091bj (J.-B.P.); ten.liamnah@dkthsc (S.-H.C.); rk.ro.nowikkuk@eelrd (J.-D.L.)

Sang-Hwan Choi

Jae-don lee, sang-seok nam.

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and international sport, and its psychosocial benefits for its trainees have been studied extensively. This review aims to systematically assess and meta-analyze the effects of Taekwondo training on sociality, character, etiquette, and school life adjustment. We searched the RISS, NDSL, and KISS electronic databases between January 1985 and December 2019. We also included gray literature, such as theses, in addition to peer-reviewed articles. R software (version 3.6.2, R Core Team, Vienna, Austria) was used to synthesize the effect sizes and perform moderation analyses. Twenty-eight studies (24 cross-sectional and four intervention studies) were included in the final meta-analysis. Significant positive effects of Taekwondo training were found on sociality (MD = 0.266, 95% CI: 0.191 to 0.341), character (MD = 0.446, 95% CI: 0.331–0.560), etiquette (MD = 0.562, 95% CI: 0.500–0.624), and school life adjustment (MD = 0.308, 95% CI: 0.195–0.421). Overall, the findings of this meta-analysis support that Taekwondo can have a positive impact on the psychosocial factors of trainees. Due to several limitations discussed, well-designed RCTs and multiple levels of Taekwondo intervention studies should be conducted in future research to validate the current findings.

1. Introduction

Taekwondo is an internationally established martial art, included in the Olympic Games, and is practiced today by millions of people in more than 200 countries (International Olympic Committee, 2021). Despite some controversies regarding its origin and history, Taekwondo is known to have evolved from a form of unarmed military training of ancient kingdoms of the Korean peninsula, including Hwarang , an elite scholar-warrior group of male youth in the Silla kingdom [ 1 ]. Though it originated from a fighting system for self-defense, Taekwondo is enjoyed as a sport effective for health promotion and self-discipline, regardless of age and gender. In addition to the physical and psychological benefits of training in a sport, it has also been widely practiced as a vehicle for developing practitioners’ mental strength and ethics [ 2 ]. Distinctively, Taekwondo places a significant value in positively affecting practitioners’ behavior and spirit through the training process [ 3 ].

The name Taekwondo is derived from the Korean words “tae”, meaning feet or kick, “kwon”, meaning fist or punch, and “do”, meaning path or realization. As its name represents, the Taekwondo spirit can be described by the concept of “do.” This meditative aspect of the forms in Taekwondo includes learning Taekwondo etiquette and the training of minds, encouraging practitioners to achieve self-realization through advancement of both body and mind, and to apply it in their lives [ 4 ]. To shape “do,” Taekwondo philosophy teaches five core tenets: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit [ 5 , 6 ]. Historically, these lessons have been associated with pursuing peace, having respect to one another, and standing in solidarity with individuals weaker in body, mind, and spirit [ 7 ]. These tenets are consistent with the principle that Taekwondo skills should be used only with good and peace as the ultimate goals.

One of the reasons behind Taekwondo’s global expansion and popularity over the years may be its positive impact on multiple aspects of personality development such as values, beliefs, self-development, manners, leadership, social skills, and confidence [ 8 ]. For decades, studies have reported that it has beneficial effects on trainees’ social development, especially children and adolescents, by improving personality, manners, and behavior, and contributes to adaptation to and satisfaction with school life [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].

In terms of personality development, Lim [ 13 ] reported that a 12-week Taekwondo intervention for elementary school 2nd-4th graders resulted in significant improvements in leadership, confidence, and manners. Similarly, preschoolers who participated in 15 sessions of a physical activity program using Taekwondo over eight weeks demonstrated higher scores on personality assessments in the lifestyle, self-establishment, sense of community, physical development, and sociality subscales compared with the controls [ 8 ].

Taekwondo training has long been reported to be effective in enhancing the social traits of practitioners [ 3 , 14 , 15 ]. Sociality, a distinct human trait that prompts the need to associate with social groups, is a fundamental characteristic of survival and coexistence with others. According to a study that investigated the correlation between self-regulation and sociality in elementary school students practicing Taekwondo, depending on the duration, the training period explained differences in diligence, interpersonal relationships, and responsibility, suggesting that regular Taekwondo training has a positive effect on social development [ 16 ]. They also found that self-regulation affected sociality factors such as diligence, responsibility, interpersonal relationships, and cooperation. Furthermore, in a recent study by Bae and Roh [ 17 ], who conducted a 16-week Taekwondo intervention designed for children from multicultural families, it was observed that overall sociability scores improved after the intervention, with reduced scores on feelings of isolation. These findings indicate that individuals learn perseverance and self-control in Taekwondo training, and internalization of these traits may contribute to social development and adaptation to the group.

Taekwondo has been well received by schools and parents who expected it would assist students in adapting to school life and in forming desirable etiquette and character during a critical period of development. Many of today’s young students are forced to live a uniform and passive life within the framework set by adults, and experience social disconnection due to lack of family integrity, highly competitive education, and school violence, along with increased time spent in online activities [ 18 ]. In this context, Taekwondo has been discussed as a possibly effective option for many psychological and social problems, such as the school violence, bullying, and delinquency to which children and adolescents are exposed [ 19 ].

Previous studies have provided evidence that Taekwondo can be an effective tool for school life adjustment and the satisfaction of growing children by promoting self-regulation and social development. However, these studies vary in the assessment tools and the subfactors used in their investigations. Furthermore, differences in sample size, sample type, sex, age, and study design (i.e., intervention or cross-section) in past studies also limit the generalizability of the results. Therefore, a systematic integration of studies that have been published to date is required to verify the effects of Taekwondo training on the psychosocial characteristics of practitioners.

This research comprised a meta-analysis of the available literature to provide a systematic review of the effects of Taekwondo training on psychosocial factors including sociality, character, etiquette, and school life adjustment.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. study selection.

This study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement in the Cochrane protocols [ 20 ]. We searched studies conducted between January 1985 and December 2019 using the Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS) electronic databases. The literature search formula was constructed using both Korean and English: ((“sociality” OR “social development”[Title/Abstract])<AND>(“taekwondo”[Title/Abstract])), ((“character”[Title/Abstract]) <AND>(“taekwondo”[Title/Abstract])), ((“manner” OR “courtesy” OR “etiquette” [Title/Abstract])<AND>(“taekwondo”[Title/Abstract])), and ((“school life adjustment” [Title/Abstract])<AND>(“taekwondo”[Title/Abstract])). The search strategy was adapted to each database.

The research papers were first screened according to the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) criteria. The participants (P) of our review were limited to Taekwondo practitioners compared with non-practitioner controls. Since this study aimed to examine the effects of Taekwondo training on the general population, studies targeting Taekwondo athletes, demonstration members, Taekwondo majors, instructors, and referees were excluded. The intervention method (I) was a Taekwondo training program, including both intervention and cross-sectional studies. The comparative group (C) comprised those who did not participate in the Taekwondo training. The outcome (O) or dependent variables were sociality (subfactors: activity, autonomy, capability, cooperation, law-abidance, leadership, responsibility, sociability, and stability), character (subfactors: sense of community, confidence, consideration, emotionality, leadership, living, propriety, self-establishment, and self-esteem), etiquette (subfactors: deportment, greeting, interpersonal etiquette, language, listening, phone etiquette, etiquette in public places, dining etiquette, and visiting etiquette), and school life adjustment (subfactors: learning, school events, friendship, rule compliance, and teacher relations). We only included studies that presented the mean and standard deviation of the outcome measures. To reduce publication bias, gray literature, such as theses, was also included in addition to peer-reviewed literature published in academic journals. The languages of the literature were limited to Korean and English.

2.2. Statistical Methods

We examined the moderator effects of sample size, sex, age, study type, publication type, and quality of the study on outcome measures. Sex was classified into three categories according to the proportion of male participants. Studies where the proportion of males was 33% or less of the total participants were set as “1,” studies with less than 66% male participants were set as “2,” and studies with 66% males or more were set as “3.” In terms of age, “1” indicated studies of elementary school students or younger, “2” for middle and high school students, and “3” for college students.

We used the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration, to assess the risk of bias in case-control studies. The NOS contains eight items across the three domains. The selection domain includes four items: (1) adequacy of case definition, (2) representativeness of the cases, (3) selection of controls, and (4) definition of controls. The comparability domain contains one item: comparability of cases and controls on the basis of the design or analysis. The exposure domain has three items: (1) ascertainment of exposure, (2) same method of ascertainment for cases and controls, and (3) non-response rate. A star system was employed to assess the quality of the included studies, with the highest quality in each item receiving a maximum of one star, except for the item in the comparability domain, which allowed the assignment of two stars. The total quality scores evaluated using the NOS ranged from zero to nine stars.

The heterogeneity of the effect sizes was assessed using R version 3.6.2 (The R Foundation, Vienna, Austria). Analysis of the overall effect size was performed when there were three or more identical outcome variables. Since the outcome measures were on five-point scales, all analysis results were presented with mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (Cl). A random-effects model was used under the assumption that the effects estimated in different studies were heterogeneous [ 21 ]. We performed meta-ANOVA and meta-regression analysis for each moderator variable and used a restricted maximum likelihood (REML) to estimate both continuous (e.g., sample size) and categorical variables (sex, age, research period, publication type). Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane’s Q and Higgins I 2 statistics, with the p -value of the Cochrane’s Q test 0.1 or less or the Higgins I 2 50% or more judged as statistically significant heterogeneity. We presented publication bias with a contour funnel plot and performed a sensitivity analysis using trim-and-fill, if necessary.

3.1. Characteristics of Included Studies

A total of 796 studies (RISS, n = 360; NDSL, n = 363; KISS, n = 73) emerged as a result of the initial database search. Among the searched studies, 768 studies were excluded due to the following reasons: (a) overlapping ( n = 389), (b) irrelevant to “sociality,” “character,” “etiquette,” or “adjustment to school life” ( n = 256), (c) no comparison group ( n = 102), (d) sample size error, (e) inaccurate data analysis ( n = 4), plagiarism ( n = 8), and lack of sub-variables ( n = 5). After article screening, 28 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. The PRISMA flow chart of the article screening process is shown in Figure 1 . Two independent researchers evaluated the risk of bias according to the NOS criteria of the Cochrane Collaboration. According to the quality evaluation results, 15 of the selected studies had good quality, seven were fair, and six had poor quality. The characteristics of each study are presented in Table 1 .

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Flow chart of article screening process.

Characteristics of included studies.

3.2. Outcome Measures

3.2.1. sociality.

Pooling data from eight studies showed a significant positive effect of Taekwondo training on sociality (MD = 0.266; 95% CI, 0.191–0.341). There was high heterogeneity among the studies ( p < 0.01, I 2 = 91%). The differences between the subfactors were not statistically significant ( p = 0.96). The overall effect size depending on the subfactors of sociality (leadership, sociability, stability, capability, autonomy, law-abidance, responsibility, cooperation, and activity) is presented in Figure 2 .

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Forest plot of Taekwondo effects on sociality.

Specifically, meta-analyses found significant positive effects of Taekwondo training on sociality in the following subfactors: cooperation (MD = 0.249, 95% CI: 0.015 to 0.484; heterogeneity: I 2 = 94%, p < 0.01), law compliance (MD = 0.169, 78%CI: 0.060 to 0.403; heterogeneity: I 2 = 78% , p = 0.03), leadership (MD = 0.266, 95% CI: 0.035 to 0.496; heterogeneity: I 2 = 94%, p < 0.01), responsibility (MD = 0.345, 95% CI: −0.076 to 0.766; heterogeneity: I 2 = 96%, p < 0.01), sociability (MD = 0.382, 95% CI: 0.140 to 0.623; heterogeneity: I 2 = 94%, p < 0.01), and stability (MD = 0.253, 95% CI: 0.063 to 0.443; heterogeneity: I 2 = 88%, p < 0.01).

However, there were no significant differences between the Taekwondo training groups and controls in the following subfactors of sociality: activity (MD = 0.194, 95% CI: −0.001 to 0.390; heterogeneity: I 2 = 88%, p < 0.01), autonomy (MD = 0.203, 95% CI: −0.039 to 0.445; heterogeneity: I 2 = 89%, p < 0.01), and capability (MD = 0.257, 95% CI: −0.016 to 0.531; heterogeneity: I 2 = 92%, p < 0.01).

3.2.2. Character

Pooling data from nine studies showed a significant positive effect of Taekwondo training on character (MD = 0.446, 95% CI: 0.331 to 0.560). There was high heterogeneity among the studies ( p < 0.01, I 2 = 93%). The differences between the subfactors were not statistically significant ( p = 0.84). The overall effect size depending on the subfactors of character (sense of community, confidence, consideration, emotionality, leadership, living, propriety, self-establishment, and self-esteem) is presented in Figure 3 .

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Forest plot of Taekwondo effects on character.

Specifically, meta-analyses found significant positive effects of Taekwondo training on character in the following subfactors: sense of community (MD = 0.520, 95% CI: 0.190 to 0.850; heterogeneity: I 2 = 95%, p < 0.01), consideration (MD = 0.544, 95% CI: 0.344 to 0.744; heterogeneity: I 2 = 62%, p = 0.07), emotionality (MD = 0.506, 95% CI: 0.201 to 0.810; heterogeneity: I 2 = 91%, p < 0.01), leadership (MD = 0.393, 95% CI: 0.130 to 0.656; heterogeneity: I 2 = 72%, p = 0.03), propriety (MD = 0.316, 95% CI: 0.047 to 0.585; heterogeneity: I 2 = 84%, p < 0.01), living (MD = 0.402, 95% CI: 0.083 to 0.721; heterogeneity: I 2 = 95%, p < 0.01), self-establishment (MD = 0.512, 95% CI: 0.184 to 0.840; heterogeneity: I 2 = 95%, p < 0.01), and self-esteem (MD = 0.561, 95% CI: 0.118 to 1.005; heterogeneity: I 2 = 96%, p < 0.01).

However, there was no significant difference between the Taekwondo training groups and controls in the confidence subfactor (MD = 0.324, 95% CI: −0.150 to 0.792, p < 0.01; heterogeneity: I 2 = 93%).

3.2.3. Etiquette

Pooling data from seven studies showed a significant positive effect of Taekwondo training on etiquette (MD = 0.562, 95% CI: 0.500–0.624). There was high heterogeneity among the studies ( p < 0.01, I 2 = 77%). The differences between the subfactors were not statistically significant ( p = 0.28). The overall effect size depending on the subfactors of etiquette (deportment, greeting, interpersonal etiquette, language, listening, phone etiquette, etiquette in public places, dining etiquette, and visiting etiquette) is presented in Figure 4 .

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Forest plot of Taekwondo’s effects on etiquette.

Specifically, meta-analyses found significant positive effect of Taekwondo training on etiquette in all the subfactors: deportment (MD = 0.384, 95% CI: 0.193 to 0.575; heterogeneity: I 2 = 83%, p < 0.01), greeting (MD = 0.590, 95% CI: 0.416 to 0.764; heterogeneity: I 2 = 85% p < 0.01), interpersonal etiquette (MD = 0.577, 95% CI: 0.296 to 0.856; heterogeneity: I 2 = 77% p = 0.01), language (MD = 0.633, 95% CI: 0.524 to 0.743; heterogeneity: I 2 = 53%, p = 0.06), listening (MD = 0.699, 95% CI: 0.543 to 0.855; heterogeneity: I 2 = 42%, p = 0.18), phone etiquette (MD = 0.511, 95% CI: 0.420 to 0.602; heterogeneity: I 2 = 0%, p = 0.99), etiquette in public places (MD = 0.551, 95% CI: 0.380 to 0.721; heterogeneity: I 2 = 48%, p = 0.15), dining etiquette (MD = 0.601, 95% CI: 0.261 to 0.940; heterogeneity: I 2 = 85%, p < 0.01), and visiting etiquette (MD = 0.518, 95% CI: 0.392 to 0.644; heterogeneity: I 2 = 61%, p = 0.05.

3.2.4. School Life Adjustment

Pooling data from seven studies showed a significant positive effect of Taekwondo training on school life adjustment (MD = 0.308, 95% CI: 0.195 to 0.421). There was high heterogeneity among the studies ( p < 0.01, I 2 = 94%). The differences between the subfactors were not statistically significant ( p = 0.53). The overall effect size depending on the subfactors of school life adjustment (learning, school events, friendship, rule compliance, and teacher relations) is presented in Figure 5 .

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Forest plot of Taekwondo effects on school life adjustment.

Meta-analyses found a significant positive effect of Taekwondo training on school life adjustment in the subfactors of learning (MD = 0.161, 95% CI: -0.074 to 0.396; heterogeneity: I 2 = 92%, p < 0.01), friendship (MD = 0.419, 95% CI: 0.222 to 0.616; heterogeneity: I 2 = 90%, p < 0.01), rule compliance (MD = 0.321, 95% CI: 0.052 to 0.590; heterogeneity: I 2 = 95%, p < 0.01), and teacher relations (MD = 0.256, 95% CI: 0.013 to 0.500; heterogeneity: I 2 = 93%, p < 0.01).

However, there was no significant difference between the Taekwondo training groups and controls in the school events subfactor (MD = 0.324, 95% CI: −0.150 to 0.792, p < 0.01; heterogeneity: I 2 = 96%).

3.3. Moderator Analysis

We performed a meta-ANOVA to detect any moderation effects of the categorical variables: study type (cross-sectional or prospective cohort), sex (male proportion), age (elementary, middle, high, or adult), study quality (good, fair, or poor), publication type (thesis or journal article), and meta-regression for the continuous variable (i.e., sample size) on sociality, character, etiquette, and school life adjustment separately.

The meta-ANOVA yielded a significant moderation effect of sex ( p < 0.001) in sociality, while the moderation effect of age was found to be significant ( p < 0.001) in character. Furthermore, etiquette showed significant moderation effects of study type ( p = 0.026), age ( p < 0.001), publication type ( p = 0.022), and sample size ( p = 0.018). In school life adjustment, sex ( p = 0.027), age ( p = 0.003), and study quality ( p = 0.038) emerged as significant moderators.

3.4. Publication Bias and Sensitivity Analyses

3.4.1. sociality.

In the analysis of publication bias, the p -value was found to be 0.001 in both Egger’s test and Begg’s test. The contour funnel plot showed that 29 studies had a p -value of less than 0.05. Sensitivity analysis for publication bias using the trim-and-fill method revealed the adjusted overall effect size (MD = 0.138, 95% CI: 0.055 to 0.220), suggesting a significant improvement in sociality in the Taekwondo training group. There was significant heterogeneity among the included studies (I 2 = 93.9%), p < 0.01).

3.4.2. Character

As for publication bias, the p -value was found to be 0.025 and 0.114 in Egger’s test and Begg’s test, respectively. There were 26 studies with a p -value of less than 0.05. We performed sensitivity analysis for publication bias using the trim-and-fill method, which revealed the adjusted overall effect size (MD = 0.2659, 95% CI: 0.152 to 0.378), suggesting a significant character improvement in the Taekwondo training group. There was significant heterogeneity among the included studies (I 2 = 94.8%). p < 0.01).

3.4.3. Etiquette

In the analysis of publication bias, the p -values were 0.628 and 0.549 in Egger’s test and Begg’s test, respectively. The contour funnel plot showed that 33 studies had a p -value of less than 0.05. Sensitivity analysis for publication bias using the trim-and-fill method revealed the adjusted overall effect size (MD = 0.534, 95% CI: 0.472–0.596), suggesting a significant improvement in etiquette in the Taekwondo training group. There was significant heterogeneity among the included studies (I 2 = 78.4%), p < 0.01).

3.4.4. School Life Adjustment

For publication bias, the p -value was found to be 0.912 and 0.822 in Egger’s test and Begg’s test, respectively. There were 23 studies with a p -value of less than 0.05. Since there was no additional study, the adjusted overall effect size yielded by a sensitivity analysis was the same as the existing overall effect size.

4. Discussion

This meta-analysis was conducted to examine Taekwondo training’s effect on psychosocial variables such as sociality, character, etiquette, and school life adjustment. In this review of 28 studies, including cross-sectional and intervention studies, the results indicated that Taekwondo training had small to medium effects on psychosocial factors. The interpretation of the results, implications, and limitations is discussed separately by the variables.

4.1. Sociality

Our analysis revealed that Taekwondo had a positive effect on sociality in the subfactors of cooperation, law-abidance, leadership, responsibility, sociability, and stability, with a small overall effect size ranging between 0.203 and 0.396. Among the eight studies, seven were master’s theses with a cross-sectional design. Only one peer-reviewed study examined the effect of Taekwondo training by employing a 24-week intervention [ 3 ]. As demonstrated in Table 1 , six of the included studies targeted elementary school students, mostly upper graders, while two targeted high school students. It is interesting to note that all of the cross-sectional studies included in our meta-analysis reported improvement in social characteristics in general, although differences existed among the subfactors of sociality assessed in each individual study. However, an intervention study by Tae-Hee Lim [ 3 ] found that the 24-week Taekwondo program did not result in meaningful improvement in sociality compared to controls. Considering that the results from the cross-sectional studies consistently reported a positive correlation between the sociality outcomes and the years of Taekwondo training [ 22 , 23 , 25 ], future studies should adopt intervention programs for an extended period of time to examine the cause-and-effect relationship between Taekwondo and social development.

A meta-analysis of studies examining Taekwondo’s effect on sociality revealed that Taekwondo training in the long term might be effective for an individual’s social development. However, due to the relatively small effect size and the study type (i.e., cross-sectional) of the literature synthesized in this meta-analysis, caution needs to be taken to avoid overestimating the link between them. Furthermore, Taekwondo’s overall effect on sociality subfactors such as activity, autonomy, and capability were not significant.

We found that, although some studies reported significant correlations between the sociality outcomes of Taekwondo training students and their demographic characteristics, such as the parents’ education and income level [ 22 , 25 ], none of these studies further assessed the effects of Taekwondo on the linkage between socioeconomic status and social development. As underserved groups are often known to be more sensitive to exercise effects, having greater room for improvement [ 34 ], future studies are encouraged to explore whether Taekwondo training’s effect on social development differs depending on socioeconomic factors.

4.2. Character

The results of this meta-analysis indicated that Taekwondo training had a positive impact on character in the subfactors of sense of community, consideration, emotionality, leadership, propriety, living, self-establishment, and self-esteem, with small to medium overall effect sizes ranging between 0.311 and 0.560. Among the nine studies, six were cross-sectional and three were intervention studies. Since the synthesized studies included age groups from preschoolers and elementary school students to high school students and female college students, it appears that Taekwondo training’s beneficial effect on character development can be applied to practitioners of various ages. In Yoon’s study [ 35 ], high school students who participated in morning Taekwondo sessions for nine months exhibited greater improvement in character assessment relative to controls. Similarly, in a cross-sectional study by You [ 34 ], which compared character elements of female undergraduates who practiced Taekwondo with those who did not, the Taekwondo practitioners were found to have better emotional stability, self-respect, consideration, sense of community, and self-establishment. Consistently, an intervention study with preschool children [ 10 ] and the remaining six studies with elementary school students reported greater character enhancement in the Taekwondo training group than in the non-training group.

The principle that Taekwondo brings about positive character development in trainees, especially children, is closely related to the solemn and educational atmosphere of Taekwondo academies and training program content that is intentionally planned and delivered by the Sabum-nim (i.e., master instructor) [ 31 ]. As part of the training, they usually include elements of character education such as greeting, etiquette, respect, consideration, rules of conduct, etc. For this reason, regular participation in Taekwondo in the long run not only contributes to personal growth but also to relationships with others, as internalization of these lessons can be transferred to daily life in school and at home [ 10 ]. A trainee who has earned a black belt after long and difficult training feels a strong sense of achievement, and these juniors are often given the role of instructor assistants during training, helping other trainees with Poomsae or leading Gihap (i.e., a shout of concentration). These experiences enhance the trainees’ leadership and consideration of others, as well as fostering self-esteem and self-efficacy [ 10 , 29 ].

One limitation we observed in the process of this research is that the three variables (i.e., sociality, character, and etiquette) are so closely interconnected that the categorization or conceptualization of the variables varied among studies. For example, Lim [ 13 ] divided character factors into individual (etiquette and self-confidence) and interpersonal relationships (leadership). In addition, some studies have overlapping subfactors in different variables. For example, Kang [ 22 ] included leadership as a subfactor of sociality, whereas Han [ 29 ] viewed leadership as a subfactor of character. Although we performed this meta-analysis according to the categorization intended by the original researchers, future studies will need to better control the effects of the variance in research methods and conceptualization.

4.3. Etiquette

Our analysis found that Taekwondo training had a positive effect on etiquette in all of the tested subfactors (deportment, greeting, interpersonal etiquette, language, listening, phone etiquette, etiquette in public places, dining etiquette, and visiting etiquette), with a medium overall effect size ranging between 0.50 and 0.60. Except for the study by Lim [ 30 ], which investigated the effect of a six-month Taekwondo intervention on etiquette in elementary school students, the remaining six studies were cross-sectional studies that compared the self-assessed etiquette of existing Taekwondo trainees and non-trainees. The results showed that the Taekwondo training groups had better etiquette than the non-training groups. Furthermore, Taekwondo’s positive impact on etiquette was found to be greater as the training experience increased [ 23 , 37 ].

Proper etiquette is an important component in Taekwondo, as reflected in the saying “Taekwondo begins with manners and ends with manners.” Taekwondo instructors continuously educate the trainees to be polite, behave properly, and show respect to others, which becomes a habit expressed in the trainee’s life at home and at school, and these basic behaviors develop into good manners. Trulson [ 45 ] argued that the traditional form of Taekwondo, which emphasizes martial arts philosophy, is effective for positive youth development. Previous studies also support that the traditional Taekwondo as a martial art has greater psychosocial benefit compared to modern Taekwondo as a sport [ 46 , 47 ]. Considering that the purpose of traditional Taekwondo is not about beating the opponent or winning the match, but rather to improve self-control, it is understandable that training programs including education in the mental and philosophical aspects of Taekwondo might be more useful for psychosocial development than the game-oriented style of Taekwondo training. The differential training effects of these two distinct approaches should be explored in depth in future studies.

4.4. School Life Adjustment

Our meta-analysis revealed that Taekwondo had a positive effect on school life adjustment in the subfactors of learning, friendship, rule compliance, and teacher relations, with small overall effect sizes ranging between 0.195 and 0.421. The seven included studies were all cross-sectional. Six of these studies were of elementary school students, and the other was of high school students. The synthesis of these studies yielded significant differences in school life adjustment depending on Taekwondo participation. Students who took part in Taekwondo training were shown to have higher scores on the measures of school life adjustment compared to non-trainees. These results imply that Taekwondo training taking place in a peer group may facilitate socialization of the student trainees, which ultimately contributes to school life where they spend a great deal of time with peers.

Furthermore, studies have reported that individuals who train in Taekwondo have better self-control compared to non-trainees, with certified trainees demonstrating even better self-control (reference). In the study by Choi [ 9 ], children with better self-control in attention, composure, rule compliance, and interpersonal relationships showed better adaptation to school life. These findings suggest that enhanced self-control through Taekwondo training is closely related to school life adjustment.

It appears that trainees have opportunities to learn attitudes and values such as sportsmanship, rule-observance, self-discipline, role sharing, and cooperation during Taekwondo practice, which are highly effective and important skills for adapting to the school community and establishing a satisfactory life at school. However, since the present research only included cross-sectional studies, caution is required in interpreting these results as a direct effect of Taekwondo training. It would be more appropriate to view Taekwondo’s effect on school life adjustment as a significant relationship, rather than causality. Thus, future research will need to investigate its effect on school life adjustment using randomized controlled trials, with varying lengths and trainees’ socioeconomic characteristics taken into consideration.

4.5. Limitations

This meta-analysis has several limitations. First, differences between studies exist in the lengths of Taekwondo training or intervention, which could lead to heterogeneity across the included studies. Second, among the 28 studies included, only four used intervention designs, while the rest were cross-sectional. Therefore, to confirm causality between Taekwondo training and psychosocial benefits, more interventional research should be conducted due to the paucity of current data published on this issue. Third, excluding studies conducted and published in countries other than Korea might have biased our findings. However, as Korea is Taekwondo’s place of origin, it is widely distributed and actively studied. In addition, limiting the inclusion criteria to one country reduced the potential influence of cultural and geographical differences.

Furthermore, researchers used self-report questionnaires to assess psychosocial factors of the study participants in the majority of the included studies, asking them to evaluate their own status. Thus, data can easily be affected by the loss or distortion of memory and the truthfulness of the responses. Therefore, future studies would be more convincing if they adopt more objective and direct measures for investigating the psychosocial effects of Taekwondo. Finally, due to the selected studies and the inevitable heterogeneity among them, the pooled results might include the biases of individual studies as well as new sources of bias, which is a common limitation of meta-analysis. Therefore, future meta-analyses on this topic should integrate more prospective cohort studies or RCTs to confirm the findings of this research.

5. Conclusions

In summary, this meta-analysis indicates that Taekwondo training has positive effects on psychosocial factors such as sociality, character, etiquette, and school life adjustment. Specifically, Taekwondo trainees exhibited significantly higher self-assessed scores on cooperation, law-abidance, leadership, responsibility, sociability, and stability among the subfactors of sociality. In the character subfactor, Taekwondo trainees were found to have a higher sense of community, consideration, emotionality, leadership, propriety, living, self-establishment, and self-esteem. In terms of etiquette, Taekwondo trainees had better qualities in terms of deportment, greeting, interpersonal etiquette, language, listening, phone etiquette, etiquette in public places, dining etiquette, and visiting etiquette. Finally, the improved psychosocial characteristics seem to be associated with better school life adjustment, as evidenced by higher scores on learning, friendship, rule compliance, and teacher relations in Taekwondo training students relative to non-trainees. However, several concerns, including inherent biases in the sample type, outcome measurements, and intervention settings included in this meta-analysis may limit definitive conclusions. Future studies are encouraged to conduct well-designed RCTs and multiple levels of Taekwondo intervention to validate the findings of the current analysis.

Acknowledgments

All authors sincerely thank Kukkiwon President Lee Dongsub for supporting this study.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, S.-H.B. and S.-S.N.; methodology, Y.-J.K., S.-H.B., J.-D.L. and S.-S.N.; software, Y.-J.K. and S.-H.B.; validation, Y.-J.K., S.-H.B., J.-B.P. and S.-S.N.; formal analysis, Y.-J.K. and S.-H.B.; investigation, Y.-J.K., S.-H.B., S.-H.C. and J.-B.P.; resources, Y.-J.K., S.-H.B. and J.-D.L.; data creation, Y.-J.K., S.-H.B. and J.-D.L.; writing original draft preparation, Y.-J.K. and S.-H.B.; writing—review and editing, Y.-J.K., S.-H.B., J.-D.L. and S.-S.N.; visualization, Y.-J.K. and S.-H.B.; supervision, S.-H.C., J.-B.P. and S.-S.N.; project administration, S.-S.N. and J.-B.P.; funding acquisition, J.-D.L., S.-H.C., J.-B.P. and S.-S.N. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

This research was supported by Taekwondo Research Institute of Kukkiwon.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of Konkuk University (7001355-201804-E-077) (April 2018).

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Taekwondo Philosophy

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  • 1 Different taekwondo federations and associations (ITF and GTF, Kukkiwon/WT, ATA, etc.) express their philosophies differently. There are many common themes among these philosophies however, as these philosophies generally tend to reference back to the code ommon touchpoint as their philosophical foundation, there are some common themes among the philosophies of different taekwondo styles:
  • 2 ITF Philosophy
  • 3.1 Paraphrased from wtf.org:

Different taekwondo federations and associations ( ITF and GTF , Kukkiwon / WT , ATA , etc.) express their philosophies differently. There are many common themes among these philosophies however, as these philosophies generally tend to reference back to the code ommon touchpoint as their philosophical foundation, there are some common themes among the philosophies of different taekwondo styles: [ ]

  • Respect for one's teachers, parents and siblings
  • Promoting a more peaceful world
  • Perseverance
  • Self Control

The following table briefly summarizes the philosophies and tenents of some common styles of taekwondo.

ITF Philosophy [ ]

From itftkd.com:)

The philosophy of Tae Kwon Do is to build a more peaceful world. To accomplish this goal Tae Kwon Do begins with the foundation, the individual. The Art strives to develop the character, personality, and positive moral and ethical traits in each practitioner. It is upon this "foundation" of individuals possessing positive attitudes and characteristics that the "end goal" may be achieved.

Tae Kwon Do strives to develop the positive aspects of an individual's personality: Respect, Courtesy, Goodness, Trustworthiness, Loyalty, Humility, Courage, Patience, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control, an Indomitable Spirit and a sense of responsibility to help and respect all forms of life. This takes a great deal of hard training and many do not reach far enough to achieve perfection in all of these aspects. However, it is the physical, mental, and spiritual effort which the individual puts forth that develops the positive attributes and image of both the individual and how he or she perceives others.

By helping mold an individual into a well-rounded and responsible person, the individual can pass onto others, through both his teachings and his personal actions, the principles he has learned through his Tae Kwon Do training. Individuals unite and become a family, families come together and form a community, communities merge and develop into a nation, and nations are what make up our present-day world. In order to help build a more peaceful world, Tae Kwon Do starts with one person at a time. Gradually groups form, dojangs (schools) emerge, organizations develop, until Tae Kwon Do's philosophy has influenced, in a positive way, enough persons, families, communities, and nations, to someday bring about, or at least help bring about, the unification of nations dedicated to helping each other.

The task is not easy. Just like the metamorphosis an individual goes through from white belt to black belt and eventually Master, so the transition of the unification of nations united by laws of peace, is a long and hard task. Tae Kwon Do strives for this unification. Race, creed, and nationality have nothing to do with Tae Kwon Do. They are all one in the same. Tae Kwon Do reaches toward the total development of the individual and the founding of a peaceful world. No matter what color a persons skin, no matter what his religion, no matter where his national boundaries we all seek one thing, Peace. This peace can only be achieved if each person has found peace within himself. Tae Kwon Do reaches toward the cultivation of this inner peace and the development of a well-rounded responsible individual.

The physical aspects of Tae Kwon Do are merely a by-product of Tae Kwon Do. It is the mental and spiritual development of a person which Tae Kwon Do nurtures and helps give birth to. The philosophy of Tae Kwon Do can be attained through the cultivation and maturity of all three aspects of the Art; physical, mental and spiritual, in each individual. Once these three aspects have been instilled in a person, then the total maturation of the person will start a chain-reaction which will, with God's help, lead us to a more peaceful world.

Tae Kwon Do is doing its part to build a more peaceful world, I, as an instructor, am doing my best to attain this goal, and you, as a practitioner of the Art of Tae Kwon Do, have begun to set the world on the path of peaceful unification. Our task is not an easy one. We may not see our goal fulfilled in our lifetime, but we are now planting the seeds which will one day take root and blossom into Tae Kwon Do's philosophy, total positive development of each individual and a peaceful world.

WT/Kukkiwon Philosophy [ ]

Sam Taeguk

The Sam Taegeuk, representing the Heavens, the Earth, and Man

Taegeuk

The Taegeuk, representing the unity of opposites

Quick Summary: WT taekwondo philosophy is based on these principles:

  • Sam Jae - the principle that all change in the world can be explained as the interaction of the three elements: the Heavens, the Earth, and Man.
  • Eum and Yang - the principle of "the unity of opposites" - things that seem polar opposites are really two sides of the same coin (called yin and yang in China)
  • Hongik-Ingan - the principle of promoting the universal welfare of mankind
  • Jaese-Ihwa - education in accordordance with the reason of heaven; in other words, behaving in a rational way
  • The Hwarang spirit - the Hwarang were an elite caste of young scholar/warriors during the Three Kingdoms era of Korean history, known for their martial prowess but also their education and code of virtues

These principles should be applied by individuals on a personal level in their daily lives, with the intent of benefiting those around them. In this way, the universal welfare of mankind is promoted.

Paraphrased from wtf.org: [ ]

The philosophy of Taekwondo is very special, but what makes it so special? If we learn philosophy from books, we tend to forget it as soon as we leave them, because it is not related to our actual lives. But since Taekwondo is connected with our lives like every movement of ours is, we can never forget its philosophy.

That is, the philosophy is one of actions that can be learned from other actions, and our everyday activities. Taekwondo philosophy represents the principles of the changes and movements in human beings. It also represents the principles of our lives, since life consists of our movements. Therefore, we can say Taekwondo is a philosophy in itself. We can understand the philosophy of Taekwondo by doing Taekwondo, and this understanding should lead to better understanding and enhancement of our life.

The principles of Taekwondo can be explained in several ways, but here we will explain it simply with two principles:

  •  In Asian culture,  Sam Jae  has been recognized as the central principle that explains the changes of everything in the world. "Sam Jae" and the changes of "Eum" and "Yang" constitute the "Eight Trigrams for Divination" in the "Book of Changes" (the I Ching). The principle of Sam Jae has been emphasized in Asian countries, especially in Korea. If you understand Taekwondo's principle, you could understand all the skills and spiritual depth of Taekwondo. 
  • The principle of Eum and Yang has also been emphasized in Asian countries as the central principle of life. This principle maintains that everything has an opposite side. This principle explains various forms of changes, but it comes from "Taegeuk" (the Great Absolute), which represents the ultimate claim that Eum and Yang was the one and the same thing.

If we understand Taekwondo according to this principle, we will find a solution, and by continuously changing skills, we will never get stuck, in any situation. After we understand these philosophical principles of Taekwondo, we can find proper ways to understand and develop our lives.

What is the philosophy of Taekwondo?

Taekwondo contains thoughts that Han (Korean) people had developed through history. Its philosophy is easily explained with Hongik-Ingan , Jaese-Ihwa , or Hwarangdo spirit.

  • Hongik-Ingan means "the universal welfare of mankind." It was the idea of the national foundation by Tangun, and the Taekwondo spirit too has inherited the idea of Hongik-Ingan. It is easily confirmed from the fact that the word of Taekwondo itself means to suppress fighting and induce peace.
  •  On one hand Jaese-Ihwa  means that "the world is educated in accordance with the reason of heaven." Taekwondo is a principle, not a simple connection with movements. It is the Korean traditional martial art characterized by the trinity of body, mind and life. Thus, the principle is the reason of all creation, and so it refers to the reason of heaven in Jaese-Ihwa. Therefore, human beings can be educated in accordance with the reason of heaven through correct training of Taekwondo. That's the very meaning of Jaese-Ihwa. 
  • With time, these ideas developed into the Hwarang-do spirit and the Taekwondo philosophy today. 

Hongik-Ingan and Jaese-Ihwa appear clearly in the myth of the Korean foundation. According to it, "In the early age, Hwan-Wung, the son of Heaven established a nation called Baedal (earliest name of Korea). He then announced the purpose of the national foundation as Jaese-Ihwa (educate with the reason of heaven) and Hongik-Ingan (universal welfare of mankind)."

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Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that has gained worldwide popularity. Many students practice Taekwondo as a way to improve their physical and mental health while also learning discipline and self-defense techniques. If you’re looking to write a college essay about Taekwondo, there are many interesting topics and ideas to explore.

One popular topic for a Taekwondo essay is the benefits of practicing this martial art. You can discuss how Taekwondo helps with physical fitness, such as improving strength, flexibility, and balance. You can also explore the mental benefits, such as increased focus and self-discipline, as well as how practicing Taekwondo can boost confidence and self-esteem.

Among various Taekwondo essay ideas, one of the mpst popular is the history and philosophy behind this martial art. You can delve into the origins of Taekwondo, its evolution, and how it differs from other martial arts. Additionally, you can explore the philosophy of Taekwondo, such as the principles of respect, perseverance, and self-control.

If you’re looking for Taekwondo essay examples, you can find inspiration from personal experiences. You can discuss how practicing Taekwondo has helped you overcome challenges, build relationships, or achieve goals. You can also explore how Taekwondo has impacted your life and what you have learned from the practice.

When writing a college essay about Taekwondo, it is important to follow the proper essay format. The essay should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs that support your ideas with evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes your key points.

Overall, there are many interesting topics and ideas to explore when writing a Taekwondo essay. Whether you focus on the physical or mental benefits, the history and philosophy, or personal experiences, make sure to showcase your passion and dedication to this martial art.

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Quite often our philosophy is referred to as “ the DO “, or “ the Way “. Such philosophy states that the practical learning of Taekwon-Do is of little value if its spiritual side is relegated. Mind and body are considered inseparable as General Choi Hong Hi, founder of Taekwon-Do, laid special emphasis on this idea by joining the lettering of our art with a hyphen that links both parts, showing how essential this is to an harmonious and simultaneous development.

It means that the moment one takes up physical performance with tenacity and perseverance – the part we are likely to enjoy most – it also becomes necessary to apply our tenets and fully exercise them in practice, not as a mere repetition or as a memory habit but rather to adopt a way of living which will tune us with the power that practicing Taekwon-Do provides us.

taekwondo philosophy essay

In the words of our founder, courtesy ranks as the most important of such tenets, for it is a category that sets us in a different class from animals; only does the human being have the capacity to show courtesy and if we all showed it, there would be fewer social conflicts, since those conflicts many times occur for lack of finesse rather than because of profound disagreements over an issue.

Fostering integrity is essential in order to raise our self-esteem, by valuing our individuality we come to respect ourselves and understand that any meaningful achievement requires self-esteem.

Perseverance is the quality that will enable us to reach goals beyond our inborn skills. Nature may have endowed us with the very best ingredients but if we do not practice often enough, in the long run we shall be defeated by that practitioner who possesses the necessary tenacity and perseverance to train and train relentlessly, and overpower a more gifted rival.

Self-control is one of the essential principles in our practice, for it channels aggression and teaches us how to make that energy flow in a positive way, preventing any gratuitous violence that may be triggered by excessive energy. It is fundamental to keep a balance between reason and emotion, as a way of acquiring the necessary self-confidence when the moment demands to choose a certain course of action.

Indomitable spirit means precisely to muster all determination and courage for a wise choice in situations where we must overcome fear and it is this wild spirit which allows the Taekwon-Do practitioner to achieve their goals, no matter what inconveniences or obstacles might block the way and especially when freedom and justice are at stake.

As well as the student´s duties, the five tenets cited above are crucial to our philosophy. The first one states that one should “observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do”, then followed by “respect senior and elders”, which perhaps is not well rooted enough among the younger generations; this tenet is not only about respecting those who are more knowledgeable in our Taekwon-Do class but rather to be kind and considerate at all times towards elderly people by giving them our full attention and the thoughtfulness that they deserve. This starts in the relationship with our own children and our pupils, who will faithfully follow our example.

“ Do not distort the Taekwon-Do name ¨. Here is a warning against making a wrong use of our knowledge and our sparring practice, preventing any transformation of this defense system into an attacking system and avoiding any obtainment of things by force and the misuse of our art. Again, this is related with the need for self-control as a way to limit aggressiveness.

“ Being a champion of freedom and justice ” defines life itself as the true tournament and the choice of values, which the practitioner embraces as its main requirement, respecting freedom and enforcing its respect, which should be defended by a fair justice.

“ Helping to build a more peaceful world ” is one of the duties which best synthesizes our philosophy, since the application of what is stated above turns the Taekwon-Do practitioner into a more qualified member in their contribution to the effective improvement of our society.

Empathy is that attitude which consists in knowing how to place oneself in our fellow being´s position, especially when they are suffering. Such predisposition will always bring about positive deeds, as long as we do not lose sight that the world is populated by all kinds of creatures, besides ourselves.

In peace with our conscience and by nurturing our spiritual growth, we may rely that younger generations will benefit from a social evolution that will add to a happier and more fulfilling life.

The key to developing the spiritual qualities we mention is not to merely repeat such statements every lesson but rather the in conviction we place in our beliefs and to be able to fully incorporate them into our lives.

The ITF possesses a special program launched by the late GM Tran Trieu Quan, which boosts the teaching of such values, and this program is available to all member countries. The culmination of such a program has been the responsibility of Dr. Janel Gauthier, who together with members of a committee, aim is to train for its tuition. Together we will be able to put it into practice, provided we are willing to carry out a profound and sincere analysis of our own behaviour, which is no easy task in a world which often favours a more materialistic approach. (extract from “The Art of Taekwon-Do ITF” 2014)

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Taekwondo History: Timeline & How it started

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February 11, 2024

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Taekwondo History

Dive into the fascinating world of Taekwondo history, exploring its ancient roots, evolution, and global impact on martial arts today.

Let’s kick off!

taekwondo philosophy essay

Table of Contents

Taekwondo History Summary

Ancient korea, 1940s – 1950s, 1960s – 1970s, 2010s – present, who invented taekwondo, how did taekwondo become so popular, where did taekwondo originate.

  • ⏳ Origins and Evolution: Taekwondo’s rich history traces back to ancient Korea, where martial arts like Taekkyon and Subak laid the foundation. In the mid-20th century, various Korean martial arts schools unified under the name Taekwondo, promoting its distinctive techniques and philosophy.
  • 🚀 Rise to Prominence: Taekwondo’s international reach grew rapidly, thanks to demonstrations by Korean masters, military training, and sports diplomacy. The World Taekwondo Federation (now World Taekwondo) was established in 1973, propelling the martial art to a global stage.
  • 🥇   Noteworthy Growth and Adaptation: With its inclusion as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and as an official Olympic event in 2000, Taekwondo’s popularity soared worldwide. Embracing technological advancements, like electronic scoring systems, the martial art continues to evolve, adapt, and thrive.

Taekwondo History Timeline

The origins of Taekwondo date back to ancient Korea over 2,000 years ago, where martial arts like Taekkyon and Subak were practiced. Murals in ancient tombs, such as the Muyongchong, Goguryeo, and Silla dynasties, depict warriors showcasing fighting stances and techniques similar to those in modern Taekwondo.

During the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE – 668 CE), each Korean kingdom developed its unique form of martial arts. The Silla Kingdom’s elite youth warrior group, known as Hwarang, practiced Subak and contributed significantly to Taekwondo’s early development.

After World War II and the Korean War, various Korean martial arts schools, or kwans, sought to unify their practice. In 1955, the Korea Taekwondo Association was formed, and the name “Taekwondo” was chosen to represent the unified martial art. General Choi Hong Hi, one of Taekwondo’s founding fathers, played a crucial role in the merging of kwans and promotion of the martial art.

Beyond unification, South Korean military forces began incorporating Taekwondo in their training, demonstrating its effectiveness as a self-defense technique. Shortly after, Taekwondo also became a part of physical education programs in schools across South Korea.

Taekwondo’s global influence expanded during the 1960s, when Korean masters started traveling and performing martial art demonstrations worldwide. Foreign militaries, particularly in Southeast Asia and the United States, adopted Taekwondo for self-defense training.

In 1973, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), now known as World Taekwondo (WT), was established. The first-ever World Taekwondo Championships were held in Seoul, South Korea, in the same year, solidifying Taekwondo’s recognition as an international martial art.

In 1980, the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), founded by General Choi Hong Hi, gained recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This marked a significant milestone for Taekwondo, bringing it closer to Olympic participation.

Eight years later, Taekwondo made its Olympic debut as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The event showcased the martial art’s grace, power, and unique techniques to a global audience, further increasing its popularity.

Taekwondo continued to gain momentum in the 1990s, becoming a demonstration sport once again in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Meanwhile, the number of countries practicing Taekwondo rose dramatically, with over 120 nations joining World Taekwondo by the mid-1990s.

As the martial art gained international prominence, World Taekwondo shifted its focus towards the standardization of techniques and forms, known as poomsae. This facilitated consistent teaching and judging in competitions globally.

Taekwondo made its debut as an official Olympic sport in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This inclusion significantly boosted the martial art’s global appeal, leading to rapid growth in participation and institutional support worldwide.

With increased global attention, World Taekwondo initiated advancements in safety equipment and electronic scoring systems to enhance the fairness and accuracy of Taekwondo competitions.

Technological advancements continue to shape modern Taekwondo. The introduction of the Instant Video Replay system at the 2012 London Olympics enabled judges to make more accurate decisions during competitions, maintaining the integrity of the sport.

Today, Taekwondo is practiced in over 200 countries, with millions of practitioners worldwide. Organizations like World Taekwondo and the International Taekwondo Federation remain committed to promoting the martial art’s core values of self-discipline, respect, and perseverance, preserving Taekwondo’s rich history and ensuring its growth in the future.

Learn about the physical and mental challenges that make it such a demanding sport in our article on why taekwondo is the hardest sport .

taekwondo philosophy essay

General Choi Hong Hi of the South Korean military is often credited with founding Taekwondo in the mid-20th century, integrating martial arts techniques from different Asian countries.

Taekwondo gained popularity worldwide due to its inclusion in the Olympics, effective fitness and self-defense benefits, and international outreach by the World Taekwondo Federation.

Taekwondo originated in Korea, combining aspects of native Korean martial arts, like Taekkyon and Subak, with other Asian fighting styles.

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Wayne is a travel blogger who loves to write about the best attractions, restaurants, and resorts in Florida and the southeastern U.S. When he is not writing, he is running outdoors, spending time with family, or planning his next trip.

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  • Taekwondo , Essays From Around The World

6th Dan Essay by: Rita J. Pearson – DEDICATION, COMMITMENT, LOYALTY

DEDICATION, COMMITMENT, LOYALTY Written byRita J. Pearson

When you begin your journey in TaeKwonDo, most people do not think about the words Dedication, Commitment and Loyalty. We follow the five tenets of TaeKwonDo, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit; but without dedication, loyalty and commitment to TaeKwonDo you will not achieve them.

According to Webster’s Dictionary these words can be defined as follows: dedication can be defined as the state of being dedicated. Dedicate is to devote wholly and earnestly to some person or purpose.   Commitment can be defined as making a pledge or promise to accomplish something. Loyalty is to be loyal; this is to be faithful to one’s oath, commitments, and/or obligations. When you become a true practitioner of TaeKwonDo these three words are of great importance.

When I think of these words I think of Grand Master Woo Jin Jung. He has dedicated his life to the unification of Korea. He has tried to do this through his commitment to TaeKwonDo. TaeKwonDo being the common denominator between the two sides, GM Jung has used this as a means to begin conversations between the two sides. Each small step is a great stride in the direction of unification. He has also dedicated his life to bringing TaeKwonDo to the world. GM Jung has also shown his loyalty to his country and TaeKwonDo by striving to accomplish what he has set out as goals for himself: The unification of North and South Korea and to bring TaeKwonDo to the world.  Through his many schools and thousands of black belts he is spreading TaeKwonDo and the TaeKwonDo way of life. Though there have been obstacles, he has remained constant in his pursuit of these goals. His loyalty to TaeKwonDo and his TaeKwonDo family are immeasurable; if you need him he is always there to talk on the phone or come to your aid.

GM Jung has been a great inspiration to me and many others. When I first met GM Jung I was scared to death. It was GM Jung, he brought us TaeKwonDo and he is GREAT! Once I met him and spoke with him, he is a real person with goals and struggles just like the rest of us. Through great sacrifice he has become a great man. As I take a look at the path I have chosen to follow with my life, TaeKwonDo has played a huge part. There have been many cross roads where I could have chosen to take a different direction but through my experiences in TaeKwonDo, I chose to persevere through the difficult situations instead of taking the easy way out and I am a better person for this. Since my last test I have had a hip replaced. The doctor told me no more TaeKwonDo, I was devastated to hear this. I did not give up with those words, I asked more questions and did research to find out that as long as I was smart with the things I do I could continue to teach and participate in TaeKwonDo. The big things were no more running or jumping and absolutely no pivoting on that leg. Then the Doctor told me I could try but if there was any pain or discomfort to stop. Listen to what your body is telling you. So here I am today preparing for my 6 th Dan test and scared to death that I may over do it. As long as I maintain good self-control and don’t get carried away during test I will be fine, keeping my kicks to low/middle and very light pivoting on my leg. There have been many times in GM Jung’s life where he could have been swayed to give up but for his commitment and dedication he persevered and has continued to bring us TaeKwonDo.

I have tried to bring that level of dedication, commitment and loyalty to TaeKwonDo in my community and to my TaeKwonDo Family. I try to show my loyalty to GM Jung by attending as many TaeKwonDo functions as I can, helping wherever I can; showing support whenever I can. I try to teach the TaeKwonDo membership pledge, making sure that each student understands its meaning. That TaeKwonDo is a way of life, a choice that you make and it should not be taken lightly. That each one of us uses what we learn in TaeKwonDo; every day in every situation whether we are young or old.

I have found that by stressing these things as well as the physical aspects of TaeKwonDo, each student has a better life and will take what has been learned with them throughout the remainder of their lives. In all choices that are made the student now brings a new level of dedication, and commitment to the decision or goal. Just knowing you have accomplished what you may have thought as impossible through your journey in TaeKwonDo, this gives you the confidence to make the commitment to any goal that you set whether others believe in you or not. You have gained the confidence in yourself through your accomplishments in TaeKwonDo.

Just knowing what GM Jung has done with his life and the obstacles he has overcome and what he as accomplished has given me the confidence to set my goals high and to commit to accomplishing them when others doubt my abilities. My greatest thanks go to GM Jung and the great example he has been for my life.

Respectfully submitted by:

Rita J. Pearson

Candidate for 6 th Dan

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The Founding Principles and Philosophy of Taekwondo

Published by gary voysey on april 14, 2023 april 14, 2023, introduction.

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that has become popular worldwide due to its emphasis on self-defence , physical fitness , and mental discipline . Taekwondo literally means “the way of the foot and fist,” and it involves a combination of strikes, kicks, and blocks that are executed with speed, power, and precision.

Beyond its physical benefits , Taekwondo is also a way of life that is guided by a set of founding principles and a philosophy that emphasizes self-improvement, respect , and harmony. In this article, we will explore the founding principles and philosophy of Taekwondo and their relevance to modern-day practitioners.

The Founding Principles of Taekwondo

The founding principles of Taekwondo are the fundamental values that guide the practice of this martial art. These principles have their roots in traditional Korean culture and are based on Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Here are the five founding principles of Taekwondo:

  • Courtesy (Ye Ui): Courtesy is the foundation of all human relationships, and it involves showing respect and consideration to others. In Taekwondo, practitioners are expected to bow to their instructors and fellow students as a sign of respect.
  • Integrity (Yom Chi): Integrity means being honest and true to oneself and others. In Taekwondo, integrity involves doing the right thing even when no one is watching and maintaining a strong moral character.
  • Perseverance (In Nae): Perseverance means overcoming obstacles and challenges with determination and persistence. In Taekwondo, perseverance is essential to achieving one’s goals and mastering the techniques of the martial art.
  • Self-Control (Guk Gi): Self-control means having the ability to control one’s emotions and impulses. In Taekwondo, self-control is necessary to avoid using the martial art for aggression or violence.
  • Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool): Indomitable spirit means having an unbreakable will and a never-give-up attitude. In Taekwondo, indomitable spirit is necessary to overcome adversity and achieve success.

These founding principles of Taekwondo are not only important for martial arts practice, but they are also valuable in everyday life. By incorporating these principles into their daily lives, practitioners of Taekwondo can become better individuals and contribute to a better society.

taekwondo philosophy essay

The Philosophy of Taekwondo

The philosophy of Taekwondo goes beyond the physical techniques and includes a set of beliefs and attitudes that shape the practitioner’s worldview. The philosophy of Taekwondo is based on the following principles:

  • Mind and Body Unity: Taekwondo emphasizes the connection between the mind and the body and seeks to harmonize them. Practitioners of Taekwondo learn to focus their minds and control their bodies to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Non-Violence: Although Taekwondo is a martial art, its philosophy emphasizes non-violence and the avoidance of conflict. Taekwondo practitioners are encouraged to use their skills only in self-defence and to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts.
  • Respect for Life: Taekwondo values the sanctity of life and encourages practitioners to respect all forms of life. In Taekwondo, the use of force is justified only in defence of oneself or others.
  • Loyalty and Devotion: Taekwondo values loyalty and devotion to one’s country, family, and community. Practitioners of Taekwondo are encouraged to contribute to their society and to promote peace and harmony.
  • Continuous Self-Improvement: Taekwondo is a lifelong journey of self-improvement, and its philosophy emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and growth. Practitioners of Taekwondo are encouraged to challenge themselves and to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives.

The philosophy of Taekwondo is not limited to the training hall but extends to all areas of life. By adopting these principles, practitioners of Taekwondo can become better individuals and contribute positively to their communities and the world.

How do the Founding Principles and Philosophy of Taekwondo impact the Practice?

The founding principles and philosophy of Taekwondo have a significant impact on the practice of this martial art. Here are some ways in which these principles and philosophy influence the practice of Taekwondo:

  • Discipline and Focus: Taekwondo requires discipline and focus, and the principles of courtesy, self-control, and perseverance are essential to developing these qualities. Practitioners of Taekwondo learn to control their bodies and minds, which helps them to achieve their goals both on and off the mat.
  • Respect for Others: The founding principle of courtesy emphasizes respect for others, and this is reflected in the practice of Taekwondo. Instructors and students show respect to each other, and this creates a positive and supportive learning environment.
  • Non-Violent Conflict Resolution : Taekwondo emphasizes non-violent conflict resolution , and practitioners are taught to use their skills only in self-defense . By promoting peaceful solutions to conflicts, Taekwondo contributes to a safer and more harmonious society.
  • Continuous Learning and Improvement: The philosophy of Taekwondo emphasizes continuous learning and improvement, and this is reflected in the practice of this martial art. Practitioners of Taekwondo are encouraged to challenge themselves and to strive for excellence, which helps them to achieve their full potential.
  • Positive Attitude: The philosophy of Taekwondo emphasizes a positive attitude and an indomitable spirit, which helps practitioners to overcome obstacles and challenges. By maintaining a positive outlook, practitioners of Taekwondo can achieve success both in their martial arts practice and in their daily lives.

FAQs about the Founding Principles and Philosophy of Taekwondo

  • What is the importance of the founding principles of Taekwondo?

The founding principles of Taekwondo are essential to the practice of this martial art and contribute to the development of discipline, respect, and perseverance.

  2.  How does the philosophy of Taekwondo promote non-violence?

The philosophy of Taekwondo emphasizes non-violent conflict resolution and encourages practitioners to use their skills only in self-defense.

3.   How does the philosophy of Taekwondo promote continuous learning and improvement?

The philosophy of Taekwondo values continuous learning and improvement and encourages practitioners to challenge themselves and to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives.

4.   What is the significance of the connection between the mind and body in Taekwondo?

Taekwondo emphasizes the connection between the mind and body and seeks to harmonize them to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

The founding principles and philosophy of Taekwondo are an integral part of this martial art and guide the practice of its practitioners. By incorporating these principles and philosophy into their daily lives, practitioners of Taekwondo can become better individuals and contribute positively to their communities.

The principles of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit are the cornerstone of Taekwondo, and they provide a framework for personal development and growth. The philosophy of Taekwondo values continuous learning, non-violent conflict resolution, and loyalty, which are essential qualities for a successful and fulfilling life.

Taekwondo is not just a sport or a martial art; it is a way of life that emphasizes the importance of physical, mental, and emotional balance. By practicing Taekwondo, individuals can learn to overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and become better members of society.

In conclusion, the founding principles and philosophy of Taekwondo are a valuable guide for practitioners of this martial art. By adopting these principles, individuals can develop discipline, respect, perseverance, and other essential qualities that can help them to succeed in all areas of life.

If you are in the Swift Current area, come try a class for free !

Gary Voysey

Gary Voysey

Master Voysey has been practicing martial arts for over 30 years. He is currently a 4th Degree Black Belt on Taekwondo

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Personal Reflection on the Impact of Taekwondo in My Life

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