IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE

Background. Notwithstanding the fact that the style of Taekwon-Do taught by the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) was inaugurated in the Republic of Korea (ROK; South Korea) during the 1950s and 60s by the ROK Army General Choi Hong Hi, that style is known around the world as “North Korean Taekwon-Do” since it is also practiced in the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK; North Korea).
Problem and Aim. General Choi introduced Taekwon-Do to the DPRK in 1980. Since then, no academic studies on Taekwon-Do as it is practiced in the DPRK have been conducted. This preliminary study aims to establish if there are differences in the pedagogical style and purpose of Taekwon-Do as practiced in the DPRK from those that General Choi mandated.
Methods and Materials. A descriptive, non-experimental case study of one subject (Singaporean female; aged 36 yr.) who traveled three times to the DPRK specifically to practice Taekwon-Do was conducted. A systematic literature review of ITF pedagogical materials was performed, and a multipurpose, qualitative questionnaire was implemented. The “Composition of Taekwon-Do” was identified as the ITF’s intended physical curriculum, and the Stratified Taekwon-Do Pedagogy Theory was used to explain how a method of self-defense can be used for personal and societal development. Qualitative analysis of the questionnaire data and follow-up interviews were performed.
Results. Evidence of both the “Composition of Taekwon-Do” and the Stratified Taekwon-Do Pedagogy Theory were found in the subject’s Taekwon-Do practice in North Korea indicating all five areas of the ITF’s curriculum and the three levels of Taekwon-do pedagogy may be present in Taekwon-Do practice inside the DPRK.
Conclusions. Despite its limitations, this study indicates Taekwon-Do is taught in the DPRK for self-cultivation and societal improvement purposes as General Choi intended.