30,000 years ago
Migrations to the Korean Peninsula (from Siberia, Mongolia and China to Korea)

Clans (2nd through 1st millenium B.C.)
Patriarchal, communal societies developed. Religions were animism, totemism, and shamanism.

Tribal Society
Ancient Chosun (24th century B.C. to end of 3rd century B.C.) Lengendary founder of Korea was Tangun Wanggom.

Three Kingdoms Period
1. Korguryo (37 B.C. to 668 A.D.)
2. Paekche (18 B.C. to 660 B.C.)
3. Early Silla (Pronounced "Shilla") (57 B.C. to 668 A.D) founded by Park Hyok Gose.

Hwarang-do (Flower-knight art)
Very important culturally to Korea and to taekwondo. It was a military academy for young, aristocratic youth. They communed with nature and studied art, literature, poetry, and song, as well as martial arts up in the mountains. Founder was Won'gwang-Popsa, a Buddhist priest. Confucianism and Taoism also were influential. First recorded deed of the Hwarang was in the rule of King Chin Hung (562 A.D.) The legends and ethics of this knighthood helped form the ethical background and lore of taekwondo.

Unified Silla (668-935)
Chinese invasion. Silla under King Muyol fought them off and unified the Korean Peninsula. Rapid cultural development ensued.

Koryo Dynasty (935-1392)
Founder: Wang Kon. Korea invaded, subjugated, and devastated by the Khitans, Juchen, and Mongols.

Yi Dynasty (1392-1910)
Founder: Yi Song-gye. Invention of Korean script(Hangul). Japan invaded (Hideyoshi) in 16th century and Admiral Yi Sun-sin invented ironclad ships. Manchus dominated Korea in the 17th century.

Japanese Rule(1910-1945)

Republic of Korea (1948-present)
Korean War (1950-1953) divided Korea at the 38th Parallel. Democratization of South Korea followed.

Notes on the history of taekwondo

Ancient art and documents from Silla and Kgouryo suggest that martial arts may have existed in the Korean dynasties about 2000 years ago. The Muyong-Chong and Kak Chu-Chong royal tombs of Koguryo show figures practicing what might be a predecessor to taekwondo (3 to 427 A.D).

Silla was also famous for the Hwarang who were a group of knights dedicated to uniting the country and who were devoted to the following code:

Ten Creeds of Hwarang-do

1.Be loyal to your country
2.Be obedient to your parents
3.Be lovable between husband and wife
4.Be cooperative between brothers
5.Be respectful to your elders
6.Be faithful between teacher and student.
7.Be faithful between friends
8.Be just in killing
9.Never retreat in battle
10.Always accompany your decisions by actions and always finish what you start.

Koryo dynasty(935-1392)
Taekwondo was called "subak" and was raised to great popularity as both a martial art and a sport.

Yi dynasty(1392-1910)
A book was written on taekwondo. Subak declined in military importance but retained popularity as a sport. The occupation of Korea by Japan from 1910-1945 restricted Korean martial arts practice temporarily, although it was likely practiced in secret.

1944
Formation of the Chung Do Kwan (Blue Wave School) by GM Won Kuk Yi (Lee)

1955-65
Taekwondo was slowly adopted as the name for this Korean martial art by the Chung Do Kwan.

1965
Formation of the Korean Taekwondo Association which was to become the World Taekwondo Federation. Young Chai Kim was its first president.

1973
Master Un Yong Kim became president of the newly formed World Taekwondo Federation (to which we belong) and he is the president of Kuk-ki-Won, the National Central Gymnasium in Seoul, Korea. Seoul is also the headquarters of the World Taekwondo Federation.

1997
Formation of American Chung Do Kwan, Limited (ACDKL) by Masters Jonathan Henkel and Jerry Bice
( --->GM Hae Man Park--->GM Won Kuk Lee )

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