At the age of twelve he was expelled from school for agitating
against the Japanese authorities who were in control of Korea. This
was the beginning of what would be a long association with the Kwang
Ju Students' Independence Movement.
After his expulsion, young Choi's father sent him to study
calligraphy under one of the most famous teachers in Korea, Mr. Han II
Dong. Han, in addition to his skills as a calligrapher, was also a
master of Taek Kyon, the ancient Korean art of foot fighting. The
teacher, concerned over the frail condition of his new student, began
teaching him the rigorous exercises of Taek Kyon to help build up his
body.
In 1937, Choi was sent to Japan to further his education. Shortly
before leaving, however, the youth had the misfortune to engage in a
rather heated argument with a massive professional wrestler who
promised to literally tear the youth limb from limb at their next
encounter. This threat seemed to give a new impetus to young Choi's
training in the martial arts.
In Kyoto, Choi met a fellow Korean, Mr. Him, who was engaged in
teaching the Japanese martial art, Karate. With two years of
concentrated training, Choi attained the rank of first degree black
belt. These techniques, together with Taek Kyon (foot techniques),
were the forerunners of modern Taekwon-Do.
There followed a period of both mental and physical training,
preparatory school, high school, and finally the University in Tokyo.
During this time, training and experimentation in his new fighting
techniques were intensified until, with attainment of his second
degree black belt, he began teaching at a YMCA in Tokyo, Japan.
Choi recounts a particular experience from this period of time.
There was no lamp-post in the city that he didn't strike or kick to
see if the copper wires ahead were vibrating in protest.
"I would imagine that these were the techniques I would use to
defend myself against the wrestler, Mr. Hu if he did attempt to carry
out his promise to tear me limb from limb when I eventually returned
to Korea."
With the outbreak of World War II, the author was forced to enlist
in the Japanese army through no volition of his own. While at his post
in Pyongyang, North Korea, the author was implicated as the planner of
the Korean Independence Movement and interned at a Japanese prison
during his eight month pretrial examination.
While in prison, to alleviate the boredom and keep physically fit,
Choi began practicing this art in the solitude of his cell. In a short
time, his cellmate and jailer became students of his. Eventually, the
whole prison courtyard became one gigantic gymnasium.
The liberation in August 1945 spared Choi from an imposed seven
year prison sentence. Following his release, the ex-prisoner journeyed
to Seoul where he organized a student soldier's party. In January of
the following year, Choi was commissioned as a second lieutenant in
the new South Korean army, the "Launching Pad" for putting Taekwon-Do
into a new orbit.
Soon after, he made company commander in Kwang-Ju where the young
second lieutenant lighted the torch of this art by teaching his entire
company and was then promoted to first lieutenant and transferred to
Tae Jon in charge of the Second Infantry Regiment. While at his new
post, Choi began spreading the art not only to Korean soldiers but
also to the Americans stationed there. This was the first introduction
to Americans of what would eventually become known as Taekwon-Do.
1947 was a year of fast promotion. Choi was promoted to captain and
then major. In 1948, he was posted to Seoul as the head of logistics
and became Taekwon-Do instructor for the American Military Police
School there. In late 1948, Choi became a lieutenant colonel.
In 1949, Choi was promoted to full colonel and visited the United
States for the first time, attending the Fort Riley Ground General
School. While there, this art was introduced to the American public.
And in 1951, brigadier general. During this time, he organized the
Ground General School in Pusan as Assistant Commandant and Chief of
the Academic Department. Choi was appointed as Chief of Staff of the
First Corps in 1952 and was responsible for briefing General MacArthur
during the latter's visits to Kang Nung. At the time of armistice,
Choi was in command of the 5th Infantry Division.
The year 1953 was an eventful one for the General, in both his
military career and in the progress of the new martial art. He became
the author of the first authoritative book on military intelligence in
Korea. He organized and activated the crack 29th Infantry Division at
Cheju Island, which eventually became the spearhead of Taekwon-Do in
the military and established the Oh Do Kwan (Gym of My Way) where he
succeeded not only in training the cadre instructors for the entire
military but also developing the Taek Kyon and Karate techniques into
a modern system of Taekwon-Do, with the help of Mr. Nam Tae Hi, his
right hand man in 1954.
In the latter part of that year, he commanded Chong Do Kwan (Gym of
the Blue Wave), the largest civilian gym in Korea; Choi was also
promoted to major general.
On the 11th of April 1955, the board summoned by Gen. Choi, decided
on the name of Taekwon-Do which had been submitted by him. This single
unified name of Taekwon-Do replaced the different and confusing terms;
Dang Soo, Gong Soo, Taek Kyon, Kwon Bup, etc.
In 1959, Taekwon-Do spread beyond its national boundaries. The
father of Taekwon-Do and nineteen of his top black belt holders toured
the Far East. The tour was a major success, astounding all spectators
with the excellence of the Taekwon-Do techniques. In this year, Choi
was elevated to two illustrious posts; President of his newly formed
Korea Taekwon-Do Association and deputy commander of the 2nd Army in
Tae Gu.
1960 Took military course in Texas. While there, he visited Jhoon
Rhee's Karate Club where he convinced the instructor and students to
use the term Taekwon-Do. Marked beginning of TKD in the U.S. Assigned
to command largest ROC Training Ctr. in Korea and newly assigned 6th
Army Corps
1961 TKD introduced into the curriculum at West Point. Promoted TKD
as a compulsory subject for all S. K. armed and police forces
1962 Appointed Ambassador to Malaysia, TKD Demonstration at the
United Nations in New York City. TKD grows in Malaysia, Singapore and
Brunei.
1963 TKD introduced to Vietnam when Gen. Choi demonstrates
perfected forms to instructors. The new forms eliminated the remaining
vestiges of Karate in the Art. Re-elected President of Korea
Taekwon-Do Association
1965 Ambassador Choi, retired two-star general, appointed by Korean
Government to lead a goodwill mission to West Germany, Italy, Turkey,
United Arab Republic, Malaysia, and Singapore and to introduce TKD as
the national martial art of Korea.
On the 22nd of March 1966, the International Taekwon-Do Federation
was formed with associations in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West
Germany, the United States, Turkey, Italy, Arab Republic of Egypt and
South Korea.
1967 Received First Class Distinguished Service Medal from Vietnam
and helped form Korea-Vietnam TKD Foundation. Visited Hong Kong and
the U. S.
1968 Attended Sports Military Symposium in Paris as Korean
delegate. Also visited Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, India.
1969 Toured Southeast Asia for preparation of First Asian TKD
Tournaments. Toured 29 countries to spread TKD and collect material
for his book
1970 Toured 20 countries throughout SE Asia, Canada, Europe, and
the Middle East.
1971 Visited Malaysia and selected TKD instructors to be sent to
train Rep. Of Iran Armed Forces
1972 World tour to introduce TKD to heads of states of Bolivia,
Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Guatemala. This year Gen. Choi moved to
Canada, and ITF headquarters also moved to Toronto to facilitate the
spread of TKD to Eastern Europe. He overcame many difficulties to
develop Taekwon-Do.
1973 Led ITF Demonstration Team to Europe, the Middle East, Africa,
and the Far East (more than 100,000 attended in Egypt alone).
1974 First World TKD Championships in Montreal. Led top instructor
demo team to Jamaica, Curacao, Costa Rica, Columbia, Venezuela, and
Surinam.
1975 TKD demonstrated at the Sydney Opera House in Australia,
Visits Greece and Sweden to conduct seminars
1976 Visits Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Europe to conduct
seminars. Visits Holland to open the First European TKD Championships
1977 Visits Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, and Sweden and Denmark
to help form national organizations
1978 Visits Malaysia, Pakistan, Kenya and South Africa, Sweden,
Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and the U. S.
1979 Visits Sweden, Denmark, West Germany, France, Greenland and
Argentina
1980 First visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to
introduce Taekwon-Do to North Korea
1981 Visits Australia and Japan. Presents a united North and South
Korean Taekwon-Do team in Vienna, Austria
1982 Taekwon-Do dojang opens in Japan, a monumental point in the
General's life. Visits Greenland, the United Kingdom, West Germany,
Austria, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia,
Finland, and Italy
1983 Visits Argentina, Columbia, Panama, Honduras, the United
States, Yugoslavia, and Italy
1984 Visits Scotland, North Korea and Hungary where the first
large-scale TKD competition was held in a socialist country
1985 Publication of Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do by General Choi.
Visits Puerto Rico and Norway. 30th Anniversary of the beginning of
TKD
1986 Visits China with the ITF Taekwon-Do delegation. The
delegation made great success to show original Taekwon-Do in the city
of Beijing, Xian and Jinan. The brilliant performance of Taekwon-Do
moved Chinese people and created a sensation of Taekwon-Do.
1987 Visits Greece with 5th Worlds.
1988 World Championships televised via satellite throughout Europe.
TKD introduced to Russia
1989 Published condensed version of TKD Encyclopedia. Visits China
to help organize national TKD association
1990 Visits Uzbekistan, Russia, Vietnam, and China
1991 Lectures at Lenin Central University in Russia. TKD adopted as
a four-year credit course at the University
1992 Received honorary Doctorate from Lenin Central Univ.
Encyclopedia Britannica references General Choi as the "principal
founder of Taekwon-Do.
1993 Visits Moscow and Uzbekistan
1994 Visits the Ukraine
1995 Visits Tajikistan and meets with instructors from Tajikistan,
Kirghizstan, Moldova, and Russia
1996 First Conference of TKD in Toronto
1997 Visits Russia for Tenth Worlds
1998 Visits Cambodia to teach TKD courses in Phnom Pen. Visits
China to meet Mr. Shuojong Song.
1999 Visits China formally set up China I.T.F.
Choi Hong Hi continued to promote TKD throughout the world through
seminars, instructor courses and promotions.
Choi Hong Hi passed away on 15 June 2002.
