Knowledge

General knowledge of Taekwondo.

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Knowledge of Taekwondo for 9th KUP

Formal Titles

1st to 3rd DAN : BOOSABUM (Assistant Instructor)

4th to 6th DAN : SABUM (International Instructor)

7th-8th DAN : SAHYUN (Master)

9th DAN : SASUNG (Grand-Master)

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Counting

Number	Korean	Number	Korean	Number	Korean
1	Hana	11	Yul Hana	21	Seumool Hana
2	Dul	12	Yul Dul	22	Seumool Dul
3	Set	13	Yul Set	30	Soreun
4	Net	14	Yul Net	40	Maheun
5	Dasot	15	Yul Dasot	50	Sheen
6	Yosot	16	Yul Yosot	60	Yesoon
7	Ilgop	17	Yul Ilgop	70	Ilheun
8	Yodul	18	Yul Yodul	80	Yudoon
9	Ahop	19	Yul Ahop	90	Aheun
10	Yul	20	SeuMool	100	Bak

Patterns (TUL)

With patterns movements, the taekwondo student set himself an imaginary fight in which both attacking and defensive techniques are used. There are 24 tuls in Taekwondo. The white belt teaches no real Tul, but teaches preparatory movements: SAJU JIRUGI (4 sides attack) and SAJU MAKGI (4 sides defensive).

Tips

• Pattern must start and end at the same place.
• Always correct posture, position, and composition.
• The muscles of the body are completely relaxed after each movement. During the execution of each movement, the student must control the tension..
• Perform Rhythmic movements not run stiff.
• Both the left and right hand versions equally powerful. Perform each movement with a sense of realism.
• Perform each movement with a sense of realism.

Principles/Tenets of Taekwondo (meaning of "do")

• Courtesy
• Integrity
• Perseverance
• Self-control
• Indomitable spirit

Click on the image to enlarge.

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The oath of Taekwondo (Kwaran soon soo)

I shall observe the tenets of Taekwondo.

I shall respect my instructors and seniors.

I shall never misuse taekwondo.

I shall be champion of freedom and justice.

I shall build a more peaceful world.

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Knowledge of Taekwondo for 8th KUP

The magic number 9:
One starts with 9th kup and ends 9th Dan in Taekwondo because 9 is a magic number for the Asians.
Multiply it by any other number, and the sum of the digits of the result is always 9. Ex.: 9 x 112 = 1008 the sum of digits: 1 + 0 + 0 + 8 = 9.

The number 9 in the East is an important sacred number. Moreover, it is mysterious, because it keeps coming back.

Sparring

A Taekwondo fight on competition will be decided by points and takes two minutes. There are four corner referees who give points and one ring referee on the field provided.

Point allocation

In sparring, the points are allocated as here below :

• 1 point for all fist techniques on the body or face
• 2 points for all leg techniques on the body
• 3 points for all leg techniques on the face

Warnings:

• Ui Ju Hanna: before a warning is given, the fight is stopped (= heachyo) and then a warning is attributed to the accused person. After three warnings, one point is deducted.
• Gam Jum Hanna: you can get a minus point through full contact (too hard, usually uncontrolled), falling down or ignoring umpire commands. Three direct minus points means disqualification (Sil Kyuk).
  

You get a warning by :

• Pushing
• Kicking below the belt
• Grabbing opponent
• Performing a technique on the back
• Deliberately avoiding battle (running away)
• Falling down (touch by hand on ground)
• Going out of the ring
• Attacking without looking
• turning away
• talking
• Claiming provoking point

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Matsogi (step sparring)

Taekwondo students learn the techniques of Matsogi. Those are taught with the movements from the tuls to learn how to apply them in sparring.
There are three types of Matsogi: Sambo Matsogi (three step sparring), Ibo Matsogi (two-step sparring) and Il- bo Matsogi (one step sparring).
For the yellow belt exam, candidates must perform five three steps. This is done in pairs.

Methodology

You stand facing each other, bow to each other, then the attacker (pre-arranged) measures the distance needed to perform the attack. After that, the attacker goes backward with his right leg in gunnun sogi najunde bakat palmok makgi. This is the initial position in which each three-step is carried out.

In theory, the defender determines which attack will be performed, but for practical reasons (on the distance between the performers), we recommend that the attacker decides which attack he will be performing. After all, the defender knows beforehand what technique the attacker will use).

Once the attacker has called the technique, he states that he is ready to attack ("TSE"). The defender ponders what technique he will use to defend and indicates that he is ready ("TSE"). The defender may take his time to get prepared for.

Afterwards the attacker kicks or punches and the defender defends/blocks three times. The defender then performs a counterattack. Then reverse roles. The attacker brings his front leg back to NARANI SOGI (ie backwards) and the defender brings his back leg forward to NARANI SOGI. Now it's up to the person who has just defended for to attack.

Attention to:
It is important to set the feet in the right place. In an attack in niunja sogi, the attacker's feet are placed on the outside of the feet of the defender. If an attack is in gunnun sogi the foot of the attacker is placed on the right side of the foot of the defender, so first on the outside and second time on the inside.

The defender performs a counterattack depending on the distance between the two people. If the distance is large then a kicking technique can be used; it is recommended to have a hand technique at a short distance.

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Knowledge of Taekwondo for 7th KUP

Korean "Grammar"

Now you already know some definitions in Korean, so we can say exactly what we are performing and what technique we are performing.
We try a translation:
Ex. 1: 1st movement of SAJU JIRUGI: orun gunnun sogi ap jumok kaunde baro ap jirugi - Literal translation: right front stance with forward punch in the middle section with support arm and leg on the same side.
Ex. 2: the last movement of Dan-Gun: wen niunja sogi sonkal kaunde bandae bakuro taerigi - Literal translation: left L-stance with knife hand stroke in the middle section from the inside out.

RULE

There is an order. Using it makes everything clearer.
1. Firstly the side (orun / wen)
2. Secondly the position (gunnun so, niunja so ...)
3. Thirdly the strike or block
4. Fourthly the height of targeting action
(5). Fifthly the baro / bandae (not always used)
6. Sixthly the direction and type of strike/block

Anuro / Bakuro

• ANURO: From the outside to the inside
  
• BAKURO: From the inside out

Baro / Bandae

Rules in GUNNUN SOGI

• BARO: support arm and leg on the same side
• BANDAE: support arm and leg on the opposite side

Rules in NIUNJA SOGI

• BANDAE: support arm and leg on the same side
• BARO: support arm and leg on the opposite side

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Knowledge of Taekwondo for 6th KUP

The phases of a movement

In TUL and MATSUGI it is important to finish correctly each executed techniques. Therefore, let's take a closer look.

Ex: we perform ORUN GUNNUN SOGI, NAJUNDE BAKKAT PALMOK MAKGI.

• The first phase is the preparatory phase: we progress forward and we put our defense up. During this phase, we use an

undulating motion to develop speed.

• The second phase is the moment of the impact: this is the moment when the part of the body that performs the defense against the object to be blocked, is hit. At the time of the impact, our body is tensed in order to pass on the power and speed which we have developed through the part of the body, that carries out the blocking, to the object to be blocked.
  

In short, we need to move that we developed in the first phase to the end.
It is important that the motion of the legs, the arm movements and respiration are simultaneous. It is only in this case possible to carry out a powerful technique.

• The final phase is the phase of the relaxation of the muscles because the defense is already completed. It is only when the muscles are relaxed that we can perform the next move.

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THE DYNASTIES

Current North and South Korea earlier consisted of three dynasties: the Koguryo, Baekje and Silla Dynasty.:

• Koguryo (37 B.C. to 668 A.D.)
• Paekje (18 to 600 B.C. A.D.)
• Silla (57 to 935 B.C. A.D.)

Silla unified the kingdoms together by winning the war against Paekje in 660 AD and Koguryo in 668 AD. What followed was a time of peace and HwaRang grew from a military organization to a group specialized in poetry and music.

In 936 AD when Wang Kon founded the Koryo dynasty (an abbreviation of Koguryo). The Korean name KoryoIn derives from the Silla Dynasty, the principles of Taekwondo began with the youth group Hwarang DO. At that time the martial art that this group performed was called Taekyon or SOO BIN GI because the name "Taekwon-do ' only came into place in 1955.

Modern Taekwondo is a combination of many other martial arts. The most important of these is the Japanese Karate. This is because Japan occupied Korea from 1910 to the end of the World War II. During this war, lots of Korean soldiers were trained in Japan. During this occupation Japan tried to erase all traces of the Korean culture, including eliminating the traditional martial arts. The influence that Karate has on Taekwondo enriched the quick linear movements also used in Taekwondo.

After World War II, when Korea became independent, several kwans arose. These were:

• Chung Do Kwan
• Moo Duk Kwan
• Yun Moo Kwan
• Chang Moo Kwan
• Oh Do Kwan
• Ji Do Kwan
• Chi Do Kwan
• Song Moo Kwan
  

The Kwan united in 1955 as Tae Soo Do. In the beginning of 1957, the name Taekwondo was set equal to the name Tae Kyon by several Korean martial arts masters.

General Choi Hong-Hi required the army to train Taekwondo. Thus the first Korean soldiers were Taekwondo students. The police and air force had to learn Taekwondo. At that time Taekwondo was merely a Korean version of Shotokan Karate.

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Knowledge of Taekwondo for 5th KUP

Matsogi

Reminder

Taekwondo students learn the techniques of Matsogi. Those are taught with the movements from the tuls to learn how to apply them in sparring.
There are three types of Matsogi: Sambo Matsogi (three step sparring), Ibo Matsogi (two-step sparring) and Il- bo Matsogi (one step sparring).
For the yellow belt exam, candidates must perform five three steps. This is done in pairs.

Methodology

You stand facing each other, bow to each other, then the attacker (pre-arranged) measures the distance needed to perform the attack. After that, the attacker goes backward with his right leg in gunnun sogi najunde bakat palmok makgi. This is the initial position in which each three-step is carried out.

In theory, the defender determines which attack will be performed, but for practical reasons (on the distance between the performers), we recommend that the attacker decides which attack he will be performing. After all, the defender knows beforehand what technique the attacker will use).

Once the attacker has called the technique, he states that he is ready to attack ("TSE"). The defender ponders what technique he will use to defend and indicates that he is ready ("TSE"). The defender may take his time to get prepared for.

Afterwards the attacker kicks or punches and the defender defends/blocks three times. The defender then performs a counterattack. Then reverse roles. The attacker brings his front leg back to NARANI SOGI (ie backwards) and the defender brings his back leg forward to NARANI SOGI. Now it's up to the person who has just defended for to attack.

Attention to:
It is important to set the feet in the right place. In an attack in niunja sogi, the attacker's feet are placed on the outside of the feet of the defender. If an attack is in gunnun sogi the foot of the attacker is placed on the right side of the foot of the defender, so first on the outside and second time on the inside.

The defender performs a counterattack depending on the distance between the two people. If the distance is large then a kicking technique can be used; it is recommended to have a hand technique at a short distance.

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For the exam

The student must perform 12 SAMBO MATSOGI program. In addition, the student must be able perform 5 IBO MATSOGI (two step sparring).

The difference with the three-step consists in the method of attack: in contrast to the three step sparring, where the attacker attacked three times with the same attack, the attack is two-step sparring consists off two different attacks; one kick and one punch, or vice versa.

Similarly, the starting position, in which the attacker starts, is different from the SAMBO MATSOGI.

Instead of a GUNNUN SOGI NAJUNDE BAKKAT PALMOK MAKGI, the attacker begins in NIUNJA SOGI PALMOK DAEBI MAKGI.

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BREAK TECHNIQUES OR KYEK PA

Many think that they need a big shape and size needed to break a board. But that is not so. There are different things to look at. Here are the factors which lead to a higher degree of physical strength.

• Action-Reaction : Every force has an equal and opposite force. Therefore, in taekwondo with every move you make, the hand is quickly withdrawn to the hip.
• Concentration: The maximum power is only given at the time of impact.
• Balance: The body is balanced with each technique. This can be done by taking a proper position to take.
• Breathing: The control of breathing not only affects the speed and power. It can also prepare the body for a fight. Never breathe at the moment of the impact!
• Wave motion: Relationship strength - relaxation.
• Speed: Speed is the most essential factor when invoking force or pressure.

Scientifically, force equals mass times acceleration

Force = mass x speed

 : :

To know :
The bursting test must be passed with 1.5 to 3.5 cm wide pine 30x30 cm plank of wood.
How to proceed?

• Come to the place, then greet.
• Measure the distance down to the shelf. Take a good distance, certainly not too short.
• Breathe in and out. Measure one more time the distance.
• Come in JUNBI.
• Break the shelf.
• Come back in JUNBI.
• Greet.

Note: Always be peaceful and calm. Remember, use your whole body. You break the board with your hips and shoulders. Get it off your power. Also remember; you won’t try to break it; you will break it.

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Knowledge of Taekwondo for 4th KUP

Sine Wave

What makes Taekwon-do unique is the sine wave motion to generate maximum power according to the theory of force.

It is used in almost every movement. Natural wave motion is simple.

During lessons and seminars Taekwon-Do practitioners learn to apply the "sine wave" in their techniques.

What we do in fact, in the execution of the wave motion in Taekwondo techniques, is moving the center of mass of the body. That means that if we were to draw the outlining of the hip motion, it would look like a sine wave (click on figures to enlarge).

There are some advantages to use a wave movement that are related to the training of secrets of taekwon-do. To move the center of our mass in the movement of a wave, our legs must be bent while the body is in motion. To keep the legs and arms bent over a movement, we need to be relaxed. By relaxing the body, extra speed is given to a technique because the various parts of the body do not work against each other, as that is the case with voltage. Force equals mass times velocity squared, so a small gain in speed and a big gain in strength.

When we perform a wave motion, we also need to make use of a "knee suspension" (knee spring) on the correct manner. By bending our knees as we move, the body is moved up and down forward by the knee bend. While the body moves, our center of mass moves on a curve, which is a form of acceleration.

Finally, when wave motion is applied, it contributes to the use of gravity to our advantage and can assure that the acceleration increases at the moment of impact.

To apply the wave correctly in Taekwon-Do, we need to adjust the shape of the wave to achieve maximum power. In other words, the sine wave is not a uniform curve as shown in Figure 1. The wave motion is adapted so that the body "falls" at the time that it has reached the half of the trajectory of a technique and comes up to maximum height at about three quarters of the route. Then, the body comes down quickly at the end of the movement. The rapid "fall" at the end of the technique helps our mass to accelerate into the target, using the force of gravity.

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Five different tempos

The base of the wave motion is down-up-down, this means there is always a downward movement, followed by an upward movement and ending with a downward movement. However, there are variations to the wave motion which are dependent on the rate of the movement and the combination of the used techniques. There are five different tempos :

• Normal motion
  

In SAJU JIRUGI, SAJU MAKGI AND CHON-JI TUL, Taekwondo students learn the normal pace of connected movements. That is the first "motion": normal motion (normal speed). Movements performed in a normal pace, with a wave motion in one breath.

• Continuous motion
  

DAN-GUN teaches Taekwondo students the second motion: continuous motion (sequential pace). Two movements are performed sequentially, twice with wave motion in a single breath.

• Fast motion
  

Do-San brings in a new motion : fast motion (fast pace). Two motions are carried out in quick succession, twice with wave motion in two breaths.

• Connecting motion
  

In YUL-GOK brings a new motion: connecting motion (attached pace). Two movements performed connected, with one wave motion in one breath.

• Slow motion
  

JOONG-GUN completes the fifth and final motion: slow motion (slow pace). In slow motion, the move is slow but, in relation to the theory of power there is acceleration at the end of the movement. There is one (slow) movement, one wave at a (delayed) breathing. Slow motion performances of techniques allow more body control and exercises the balance of the student.

Determine the five different tempos of the wave motion, of which three variants are:

• Full wave
• 2/3 wave
• 1/3 wave

There is a full wave motion (down-up-down) ONLY in normal motion, continuous motion and slow motion.
In fast motion, there is a 2/3 wave motion, since there is only an up and a downward motion in the movement. An example can be found in DO-SAN TUL: the two punches that follow the AHPCHA-BUSUGI (movements 15 & 16 and 19 & 20)
In the connecting motion, there is a 1/3 wave motion, since there is only a downward movement taking place. An example can be found in YUL-GOK TUL: the impact that follows the second hooking block (movements 16 & 17 and 19 & 20).

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Knowledge of Taekwondo for 3rd KUP

Matsogi

For the exam, the student must perform 10 SAMBO MATSOGI programs. In addition, the student's needs 10 IBO MATSOGI (two-step) demonstration. During the exam, the student will also perform 8-ILBO MATSOGI's (one step sparing).

Should you need a reminder on how to proceed, see this link.

Hosinsul

Foreword

In HOSINSUL (self-defense), there usually is a physical contact between the attacker to defender.

In defense against weapons there usually is a physical contact of the defender against the attacker.

We divide hosinsul into two parts:

• Physical contact attacker
• Forward with weapons

Therefore, ITF Taekwondo is a modern sport considering all possible defense techniques such as long distance (legs), medium range (arms, elbow, knee) or close combat (throwing, extrication, vital points).

Note: It is always possible that one is faced with a very strong opponent. Here are two solutions:

• Use your speed and a rotational movement.
• Hit the opponent on a painful place.

Physical contact attacker

The opponent holds.

Three possibilities:

• Offensive movement: attacks with stroke or stamp on a vital place or vulnerable body spot.
• Breaking movement: on the attacking limb.
• Liberation movement: a twisting motion followed by counterattack.

Attack Situations

• standing
• kneeling
• lying
• sudden attack of opponent

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Throwing and falling techniques

Falling is an art, take into account these rules :

• Relax Body
• Try to fall on your side, not your front or back.
• Safely absorb the shock with the palm of the hand on the ground.
• avoid hitting the head.
• Legs high.

Don’t just throw your opponent to the ground during training, you do not want to hurt him.

Ground Principle: make opponent off balance. Possibilities:

• Standing
• Kneeling
• Lying

Attacker with weapons

You are attacked with a weapon (s). Dodging is the most appropriate move, but you're not safe enough.

Try to let the opponent make an additional "step". To be so close to him (or to the weapon according to your placement) makes it easier to finish your counterattack.

Pihagi (= evade, avoid) is important. Left or right, but not back in line. Block against the arm or hand, but not against the weapon (don’t touch the weapon when blocking, especially when blocking knives).

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Knowledge of Taekwondo for 2nd KUP

Refereeing at competitions

Once you’re a yellow belt, you learn something about the rules. Now we will proceed in how arbitration works on competitions..

Referees are both women and men. This is how it is going.

How and what?

A fight usually lasts 2 minutes and is decided by points. If there is a tie after the 2 minutes, another 1 minute of fighting is foreseen. If after that minute there still is no winner, then there will be a golden point.

Golden point sparring is when the two fighters have 1 minute to be the first to make a point. All techniques will give 1 point, even leg techniques to the head. The first one scoring a point according to the referees wins the fight.

Who?

Participants are divided into: chong (blue) and hong (red).

Corner referees: scoring the points. You score a point when one or more (corner referee) saw it.

Center Referee: leading the fight. He starts and stops the fight. He is the person who (center referee) interrupts the fight for giving warnings.

The jury table: The table has a Jury President and is responsible for the ring. He keeps track of which participants have to come after the current contestants. Also, there is a jury member who maintains the warnings for the final decision. The Timekeeper watches the time during the fight. There is one center referee present at the table as a reserve.

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Points

Items are listed on the points form by the corner referees. After the fight the central umpire receives the corner referees’ forms. Afterwards he brings the forms to the table. Since everything is already counted, the result is communicated by the jury president who names the winner

In sparring, the points are allocated as here below :

• 1 point for all fist techniques on the body or face
• 2 points for all leg techniques on the body
• 3 points for all leg techniques on the face

Warnings:

• Ui Ju Hanna: before a warning is given, the fight is stopped (= heachyo) and then a warning is attributed to the accused person. After three warnings, one point is deducted.
• Gam Jum Hanna: you can get a minus point through full contact (too hard, usually uncontrolled), falling down or ignoring umpire commands. Three direct minus points means disqualification (Sil Kyuk).
  

You get a warning by :

• Pushing
• Kicking below the belt
• Grabbing opponent
• Performing a technique on the back
• Deliberately avoiding battle (running away)
• Falling down (touch by hand on ground)
• Going out of the ring
• Attacking without looking
• turning away
• talking
• Claiming provoking point

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How and what?

The higher the grade, the more a person has to perform tuls on competition. Colored belts usually performed only one tul.

Who?

There are five judges who assess the Tuls. There is still the table with the referee.

Points

The jury always takes several factors into account, including :

• strength
• balance
• breathing
• technique
• rhythm.

There are two systems used in Tul, namely points or waste system.

The five referees have the duty to designate a winner or a tie. The majority of these five is the winner.

Example 2 votes for hong and 3 for chong, chong = win.

In the point system, each referee scores points separately.

Separate points are given according to different factors. Maximum 5 points for technique and maximum 3 for strength, balance, breathing or rhythm each. One gets a final score with a maximum value of 17.

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Team sparring

In team sparring, there are five people per team. There is a toss, the winner decides which team chooses the person to bring forward as first. Points are given as described here below :

• 1 point for a tie
• 2 points for a win

The team with the most points wins.

Team Tul

The same rules as in tul are applied here. It can be assessed using waste system or the points system

A team consists of 3 to 5 people. When the points are returned separately, points are given according to the different factors as in Tul.

There is one additional factor, a maximum of 5 points for presentation, teamwork and choreography. So, a maximum value of 22 points.

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Special technics

In this discipline, the contestants have to give a kicking technique as high or as far as possible. This is depending on each discipline. A few examples :

• Tymio nopi ap cha busigi
• Tymio nomo yop cha jirugi
• Tymio dollyo chagi
• ...

It is usually a knockout round. IT goes further or higher until there is a winner. On the big competitions, points are used and there, the contestants have to perform various steps before giving the kicking technique.

Power breaking

Here we try to break, with a hand or foot technique, as many boards as possible that are disposed. Also, there can be a waste or points system used. Some techniques :

• Ap jumok jirugi
• Yop cha jirugi
• Bandae dollyo chagi
• ...

Traditional sparring

Here, a style battle is performed by a pair. It only has a few limits and is fully rehearsed by the pair. The referees determine the two winners on several factors. The different duos come taking turns on the ring.

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THE ULTIMATE TIPS FOR A GOOD TUL

Tul must begin and end on the same spot.
Always have a correct posture, stance and position.
The muscles of the body are completely relaxed after each operation and totally strained during movement.
Rhythmic movement execution and no stiff walking.
All in one coordinated action.
Fast or slow implementation depending on the imposed exercise.
Each tul must be perfectly known before one learns the next.
Know the significance of every move.
Perform each movement with a sense of realism.
Both offensive and defensive techniques, left- and right-hand techniques must as powerful and streamlined as the other.
Each tul is equivalent.

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Knowledge of Taekwondo for 1st KUP

Taekwon-Do is a Sport

To develop ITF Taekwondo as a sport and encourage greater participation in competitions, major changes will be made to tournament rules, to the competition calendar, and to the qualification process.

Training for umpires will be upgraded, and we will investigate the use of a computerized scoring system. Competitors will be happier and motivated to continue when our competitions are safer and scoring is more precise and reliable. Competitions held in well-known locations around the globe will focus attention on the ITF and will result in greater visibility.

Taekwon-Do is a Martial Art

To improve ITF Taekwon-Do as a martial art, there will be increased emphasis on the traditional core values and protocol. The teaching of self-defense our "raison d'être" will be improved. We will use seminars, documentation,videos, and other means of communication to spread knowledge of ITF Taekwon-Do, reaching out to new markets and to new participants, particularly women.

Taekwon-Do is a Way of Life

To demonstrate the value of ITF Taekwon-Do as a way of life, we must teach all facets of ITF Taekwon-Do, including the Do. I can tell you that General Choi’s true last wishes and words of guidance for us and for the future are found in the introduction of his last book Moral Culture. The General had come to realize that most of the emphasis had been placed on the teaching of the technical aspects of ITF Taekwon-Do. He felt it would be up to the next generation to give equal importance to the teaching of the Do.

We have already started working on a Code of Ethics based on the Do. In future, we will use all the resources available to us to teach the whole ITF Taekwon-Do: the technical and the Do. By studying the Do, our students will grow in understanding of the “why”, not only the “how”.

The ultimate purpose of life is the search for happiness. Many people suffer because they do not have the proper value system that leads to a balanced life and happiness. We have a solid philosophy and the tools to apply it in our lives. Now we must put in place a structure to teach the mental and spiritual aspects of ITF Taekwon-Do to our students so that they will be able to achieve a balanced life and happiness.

We have been teaching ITF Taekwon-Do as a way of life for some years and we believe we can help people to find a balance between family life, school or work, and ITF Taekwon-Do. Teaching this approach will open many doors to us.

Taekwon-Do can be a Tool for Social Development. To use ITF Taekwon-Do as a tool for social development, we must practice Taekwon-Do not just for ourselves, but also to improve life in our communities. ITF Taekwon-Do can be a powerful tool to help solve social problems such as drug abuse and juvenile delinquency, providing structure, discipline, and self-confidence that carry over into all aspects of life.

We hear a lot about efforts to reduce poverty in the world. By educating people with ITF Taekwon-Do values and practices, and by showing them that there is hope of improving their quality of life, we will be making an important contribution.

The ITF can develop programs such as intensive instructor training for the unemployed and ITF Taekwon-Do courses offered at affordable prices. Starting with small-scale projects, our success will attract the attention and support of international development agencies and governments around the world. In Canada we have had excellent results with this type of program, and we will assist you to implant pilot projects in your countries.

There is a lot of work to be done in this area, but there is also an enormous potential for improvement.

By striving to develop all four facets of Taekwon-do to the maximum, we can realize our full potential as individuals and as an organization. Working together, we can do great things!

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