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A controversy has erupted in the international Taekwon-Do community after claims made at a recent North Korean-hosted championship event were directly contradicted by the widow of the martial art’s founder.
During the North Korean ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships held in Jesolo, Italy, North Korean ITF Group President Ri Yong Sun announced that Madame Choi, widow of Taekwon-Do founder General Choi Hong Hi, had sent greetings and a congratulatory message to their event. Ri further claimed that he “frequently communicates and talks with her.”
These assertions, made during the organization’s General Assembly, have now been categorically denied by Madame Choi herself in an exclusive communication with MASTKD, a global Taekwon-Do media outlet.
“I am not even aware of such a competition, and I have had no contact whatsoever with Ri Yong Sun or any members of the North Korean ITF group for a very long time,” Madame Choi stated in a phone conversation with MASTKD reporters.
The widow of General Choi expressed particular dismay regarding alleged modifications to traditional forms. “I am absolutely appalled by their audacity to change the name of the Tong-il pattern on their own,” she said. “Such an act completely contradicts my late husband’s lifelong dream of Korea’s unification and represents an impudent misuse of Taekwon-Do for political purposes.”
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within the international Taekwon-Do community, where multiple organizations claim direct succession from General Choi Hong Hi’s original International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). Since the founder’s death in 2002, these divisions have sometimes followed geopolitical lines, with the North Korean-affiliated group being one of several claiming legitimacy.
Taekwon-Do experts note that true legitimacy in the martial art is not determined by geography or politics but through authentic lineage, continuity, and faithful adherence to the founder’s principles. As the widow of General Choi and custodian of his personal legacy, Madame Choi’s statements carry significant weight within the global Taekwon-Do community.
The North Korean ITF group, led by Ri Yong Sun, has positioned itself as a continuation of General Choi’s work, particularly as the founder spent time in North Korea during his later years. However, the relationship between the various ITF factions has been complicated by both politics and personality conflicts since the organization’s early days.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining the unity and integrity of Taekwon-Do across political divides. General Choi originally developed the martial art as a discipline promoting peace, respect, and unity—values that his widow insists should transcend political narratives or divisions.
MASTKD has emphasized in its reporting that Madame Choi has never communicated with North Korean ITF Group President Ri Yong Sun or any representatives of his organization, making any public statements suggesting otherwise “false, misleading, and entirely unfounded.”
The media outlet, which describes itself as “a neutral and independent global media organization,” has called upon all organizations to ensure that statements attributed to the Choi family are authentic, verifiable, and made with integrity.
This controversy emerges at a time when traditional martial arts are experiencing renewed global interest, alongside growing concerns about cultural appropriation and the authentic preservation of martial traditions. For the international Taekwon-Do community, which numbers millions of practitioners worldwide, questions of legitimacy and adherence to founding principles remain paramount.
“The legacy of General Choi Hong Hi must remain rooted in truth, unity, and respect, never manipulated for political or ideological purposes,” MASTKD stated, reaffirming the founder’s philosophy that “Taekwon-Do is not a tool of politics, but a way of life built on respect, discipline, and the pursuit of peace.”
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7 Comments
I’m curious to learn more about the specifics of the alleged changes to the traditional Tong-il pattern. Maintaining the purity and lineage of Taekwon-Do forms seems important, so I can understand Madame Choi’s strong reaction. It will be interesting to see how this plays out within the ITF community.
You raise a good point. The authenticity and preservation of the traditional forms is a critical issue for many Taekwon-Do practitioners. Madame Choi’s forceful response suggests she sees these alleged changes as a serious breach of the art’s heritage.
This controversy seems to underscore the ongoing tensions and power struggles within the Taekwon-Do community. While I don’t have a strong opinion on the specific allegations, I believe maintaining the authentic lineage and traditions of the art should be a top priority for all involved. Hopefully, a constructive dialogue can emerge to resolve these issues.
This controversy highlights the ongoing tensions and disputes within the Taekwon-Do community. It’s concerning to see allegations being made and then contradicted, especially when they involve the widow of the art’s founder. I hope the parties involved can find a way to resolve this respectfully and uphold the integrity of Taekwon-Do.
As someone with an interest in martial arts and their cultural preservation, I find this situation quite concerning. The idea of the North Korean ITF group unilaterally modifying traditional Taekwon-Do forms is troubling. I hope Madame Choi and other Taekwon-Do leaders can work to uphold the integrity of the art.
This dispute highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics that can influence even niche martial arts communities. The North Korean ITF group’s claims about communicating with Madame Choi seem questionable, and her denial paints a very different picture. I wonder what the underlying motivations and tensions are here.
Agreed, the geopolitical context is likely playing a significant role in this dispute. The North Korean ITF’s apparent attempt to claim a close relationship with Madame Choi, which she has firmly denied, suggests there may be an agenda at work beyond just the technical aspects of Taekwon-Do.