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Kwan

Oh Do Kwan

A kwan co-founded by Choi Hong-hi and Nam Tae-hi in the mid-1950s, closely tied to the origins of the ITF.

The Oh Do Kwan was co-founded by Choi Hong-hi and Nam Tae-hi.[2] Sources place the founding in the mid-1950s, with one giving 1955.[1][2] A 2018 Korean-language paper gives 1954 and places it at Yongdae-ri, the first dojang inside the Korean military.[7] Kang Won-sik and Lee Kyong-myong locate its origin at the 3rd Army base at Yong Dae Ri and say only that it grew rapidly from 1955.[5] The ITF describes it as a military gym created after a demonstration for President Syngman Rhee.[6] A Korean weekly newspaper article dates its opening to 1952, under the name Tang Soo Do.[9] A 2008 Korean conference paper also lists the 오도관 (Oh Do Kwan) under Choi Hong-hi and Nam Tae-hi in Gangwon-do in 1954.[8]

Role in naming Taekwondo #

The ITF says instructors of the Oh Do Kwan and the Chung Do Kwan sat on the 1955 board that approved the name Taekwon-Do.[3] Choi, an officer in the Korean army, convened that board and later founded the International Taekwon-Do Federation.[3][4] See History of Taekwondo.

Lineage links

See the full lineage chart

See also

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Kwan (martial arts)" en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Nam Tae-hi" en.wikipedia.org
  3. International Taekwon-Do Federation, "Our history" itftkd.sport
  4. Wikipedia, "Choi Hong Hi" en.wikipedia.org
  5. Kang Won-sik and Lee Kyong-myong, A Modern History of Taekwondo (excerpt) kidokwan.org
  6. International Taekwon-Do Federation, "Pioneers" itftkd.sport
  7. Na Chae-man and Lee Young-hun, 공시적 관점에서 본 태권도시범: 광복이후부터 1960년대, JCCT 4(1), 2018 koreascience.kr
  8. 안정덕, 송강영, "한국 전통무예로서 태권도의 문화적 정체성 탐색", 2008 한국콘텐츠학회 춘계종합학술대회 koreascience.kr
  9. Kyunghyang Weekly, 두 개의 태권도, 그 30년 전쟁 weekly.khan.co.kr

Online sources last checked 7 November 2026.