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Both Silla and Koguryo developed youth warrior corps, whose members learned history and literary arts as well as martial arts, and who served their kingdoms through public works in times of peace. Through this system, the ancient fighting techniques were organized into a systematic martial art known at various times as taekkyon or subak. The techniques became subject to the warrior corps’ philosophy, which emphasized loyalty and service to country, obedience to parents, trustworthiness to friends, and no retreat in battle.
During the next several hundred years, subak techniques were further refined, and became instrumental in choosing military candidates. However, around 1400, guns and other weapons began to lessen military interest in subak. In the government, interest shifted to politics and scholarly subjects. At about the same time, the first widely-available book about subak began to popularize it to the general public, which kept the skills alive through the waning of official interest. Though much knowledge eventually was lost, families continued to practice remnants of subak, often in secret, for recreation and fitness.
In 1910, Japan occupied Korea, and banned all martial arts. Ironically, a patriotic response revived interest in subak. Students traveled to remote Buddhist temples, to China, and to Japan, to study martial arts. Masters taught in secret, facing imprisonment if caught. Then, in 1943, judo, karate, and kung fu were introduced and attracted much interest. And with liberation in 1945, Korean martial arts made a comeback.
Schools of martial arts opened all over the country, each one’s style differing based on where its master had studied. Each claimed to teach THE Korean martial art. Despite their differences, martial arts were added to formal military training in 1952. Masters began to travel throughout the world, giving demonstrations and opening schools. In 1955, representatives of many schools met to merge the various styles under the name tae soo do. In 1957, the name became tae kwon do, meaning “the art of kicking and punching.”
In 1971, tae kwon do was nominated as Korea’s national martial art, and in 1972, Kukkiwon was founded to be the headquarters, central gymnasium, and competition site. The World Tae Kwon Do Federation, recognized by Korea as the only international regulating body for tae kwon do, was founded in 1973, and the biennial World Tae Kwon Do Championships began. The Asian Games added tae kwon do in 1974. Recognition by additional international sports organizations quickly followed. Most recently, tae kwon do became an Olympic demonstration sport in 1988, and a competition sport in 2000.
