Symposium: "The Early Globalization Process of Taekwondo, from the 1950s to the 1970's"

Dr Sanko Lewis talking about the history of Taekwon-Do

On Tuesday, 22 June 2020, I attended a #taekwondo symposium at Youngsan University in #Busan, to discuss the article "The Early Globalization Process of Taekwondo, from the 1950s to the 1970's" by Dr Udo Moenig. The article was submitted to the 'Asia Journal of Sport History & Culture'. At the symposium, attended by several Taekwondo scholars and dignitaries, Professor Moenig summarised his article in a presentation. This was followed up by presentations, questions, and discussion from myself and Dr John Johnson. We also took questions from the floor.


One of the highlights, I think, was the last question by a Taekwondo bachelor's degree student asking, 'Who is Choi Hong-Hi?' Inevitable his name came up frequently in the discussions regarding Taekwondo's history. It is sadly ironic that still, in 2020, there are Taekwondo practitioners—even Taekwondo university students—who don't know who #ChoiHongHi is. Not only was he the person who came up with the name "Taekwon-Do" #태권도, but he was the person foremost responsible for the spread of this #martialart around the world. I call this young man's question the highlight for me at the symposium because we have opened another person's eyes to the truth of Taekwondo's origins.

During the event I shared a bit about the development of Taekwondo in South Africa. Afterwards Drs Moenig and Johnson encouraged me to write an article about this. I'm asking anyone that is familiar with aspects of the history of Taekwondo (ITF, Kukki/WT, and independent lineages) in South Africa to please contact me so that we can write up as thorough a document as possible.

Regards,

Dr Sanko Lewis