Index

People

The founders of the kwans from which Taekwondo developed, followed by the teachers and school founders who came after them, with documented lineage links where sources allow. No one person is credited as the founder of Taekwondo.

Founders of the original five kwans

Chun Sang-sup Founder of the club that became Ji Do KwanChun Sang-sup started a Kong Soo Do club at the Chosun Yun Moo Kwan in 1946, the origin of the Ji Do Kwan; he vanished during the Korean War.
Hwang Kee Founder of Moo Duk Kwan, 1914 to 2002Hwang Kee (1914 to 2002) founded the Moo Duk Kwan in 1945 and developed the art known as Tang Soo Do and later Soo Bahk Do.
Lee Won-kuk Founder of Chung Do KwanLee Won-kuk founded the Chung Do Kwan around 1944, one of the first kwans from which modern Taekwondo developed.
Ro Byung-jick Founder of Song Moo Kwan, 1919 to 2015Ro Byung-jick (1919 to 2015) founded the Song Moo Kwan in Kaesong in 1944 and is credited by his kwan as a founder of modern Taekwondo.
Yun Byung-in Founder of the club that became Chang Moo KwanYun Byung-in founded the YMCA Kwon Bup club in 1946 from which the Chang Moo Kwan grew; accounts of his fate after the Korean War differ.

Founders of later kwans

Choi Hong-hi Founder of the ITF, 1918 to 2002Choi Hong-hi (1918 to 2002) co-founded the Oh Do Kwan, championed the name Taekwon-Do and founded the ITF in 1966.
Hong Jong-pyo Co-founder of Kang Duk WonHong Jong-pyo co-founded the Kang Duk Won in Seoul and was its first kwan jang.
Lee Kyo-yoon Founder of Han Moo Kwan, 1930 to 2017Lee Kyo-yoon (1930 to 2017) founded the Han Moo Kwan in Seoul after training under Chun Sang-sup at the Chosun Yun Moo Kwan.
Lee Yong-woo Founder of Jung Do Kwan, died 2006Lee Yong-woo (died 2006) founded the Jung Do Kwan in Seoul after training at the Chung Do Kwan.
Nam Tae-hi Co-founder of Oh Do Kwan, 1929 to 2013Nam Tae-hi (1929 to 2013) co-founded the Oh Do Kwan with Choi Hong-hi and helped popularize Taekwondo through demonstrations.
Park Chul-hee Co-founder of Kang Duk Won, 1932 to 2016Park Chul-hee (1932 to 2016) co-founded the Kang Duk Won in Seoul and was its second kwan jang.

Teachers and school founders

Bo Young Kim Founder of Eagle Taekwondo, 1956 to 2008Bo Young Kim (1956 to 2008) was a Kukkiwon 8th dan who founded Eagle Taekwondo in Las Vegas in 1986.
Chang Jin Kang Founder of Il-Do Taekwondo, 9th degree black beltChang Jin Kang is a Taekwondo grandmaster and the founder of Il-Do Taekwondo in Orange County, California.
Haeng Ung Lee Founder of the ATA, 1936 to 2000Haeng Ung Lee (1936 to 2000) founded the American Taekwondo Association in 1969 and created its Songahm Taekwondo curriculum.
Sue Langdon Founder of Lone Mountain TaekwondoSue Langdon is a Moo Duk Kwan 7th dan and the founder of Lone Mountain Taekwondo in Las Vegas.
Yong Jin Park Owner of Nixa Martial Arts InstituteYong Jin Park is the owner of Nixa Martial Arts Institute in Ladera Ranch, California, and a World Taekwondo international referee.