In Memory

Grand Master General Choi Hong Hi
(1918 -- 2002)

General Choi Hong Hi was born on November 9, 1918 in the rugged and harsh area of Hwa Dae, Myong Chun District. The world Tae Kwon-Do family lost him on June 15, 2002.

In 1959, the Korean Tae Kwon-Do Association was formed, with General Choi as its first President. In 1966, the International Tae Kwon-Do Federation was formed in Seoul, South Korea. General Choi was known as the Father of modern-day Tae Kwon-Do. Throughout his life, his greatest desire was to spread Tae Kwon-Do, his art, to all people, no mater of race, creed or political view.

Today, Tae Kwon-Do is practiced in every country. General Choi's contribution to world peace earned him a nomination for the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize from the Canadian government.

In General Choi's own words

"All things are governed by the law of Yin and Yang, dark and light...happiness can often stem from catastrophic moments... My life has been a turbulent one, riddled with lonely fights and unfortunate adventure that few would envy... a life of self-exile thousands of miles distant from my beloved country. Even so, it has truly been a worthwhile endeavor.

It is one of nature's ironies that delicate plants such as orchids or tulips require extreme care while weeds flourish with no attention at all. Wild panic grass, easily mistaken for wheat or rice, can actually prevent the growth of the genuine article. I cannot help but despair over the tainted image of Tae Kwon-Do recently created by practitioners of sham Tae Kwon-Do, who have nothing in common with the origin and art form except for a borrowed name.

I console myself with this thought: Like a counterfeit diamond that cannot cut glass, fraudulent Tae Kwon-Do is appearance without substance and like a summer shower that quickly dries from the earth or a hurricane that rapidly passes from the sky, phony Tae Kwon-Do practitioners and imitators cannot endure. It exists solely on the strength of political influence and is totally devoid of fundamental philosophy or technique based on logic. As such it is destined for an early exit. The issue lies in our ability to differentiate between the true and the false.

My dream has at last been realized... the ultimate fantasy of spreading and teaching Tae Kwon-Do with no regard to considerations of religion, ideology, national boundaries, or race. I can say without hesitation that I am the happiest man alive.

It is my earnest desire that Tae Kwon-Do should retain its original concept and technique. It is also my sincere hope that Tae Kwon-Do's emphasis on promoting a healthier body and mind will provide a significant contribution to human progress for many generations to come."

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