IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE

Background. Referring to a Republic of Korea (ROK) army general and founder of martial art as a man of peace seems paradoxical until his life is fully explored. Regularly misunderstood and sometimes unfairly criticized by them, academics have, until recently, ignored ROK Army Major General Choi Hong Hi’s contributions to Taekwon-Do in the academic literature.
Problem and Aim. In the interests of creating a more balanced and holistic account of Taekwon-Do and General Choi’s role in its global propagation as well as to better elucidate the origins of the use of Taekwon-Do for peace, this article aims to rectify General Choi’s reputation by framing him as a man of peace within a Peace Studies lens.
Methods. Qualitative analyses of literature reviews of Taekwon-Do academic and lay literature, including General Choi’s monographs, were performed to contextualize General Choi’s peacebuilding work. Interviews with three Taekwon-Do grand-masters were also conducted to provide insight into General Choi and his martial art to better understand how he elucidated his underlying beliefs to his students.
Results. General Choi’s vision and work for Taekwon-Do, although somewhat nationalistically minded, became a blueprint for grassroots soft diplomacy efforts. By implementing oaths of peace into the practice of Taekwon-Do, General Choi’s educational peace philosophy seems to advocate peace through strength.
Conclusions. General Choi was a man of contrasts. Although a soldier and someone who taught a martial art and combat sport throughout his life, he wished to advance peace and global prosperity. To do so, he provided the world with a self-defense means that strengthens individuals physically, mentally, and spiritually so that their efforts would advance the cause of peace in their societies.