With its roots in Korea, the earliest form of martial arts practised was known as taek kyon. During the 7th century, when the kingdoms of Korea were unified, an elite group of noblemen emerged who were devoted to cultivating the mind and body. The Hwa Rang Do (way of the flowering manhood) practiced many forms of martial arts and it is their original code of honour that provided the foundations for modern taekwondo.

This Korean method of unarmed combat has been extensively influenced by the Japanese martial arts, especially karate, as a result of Japan's occupation of Korea during the first half of the 20th century. Adapting many karate techniques, the Koreans incorporated these Japanese systems into their training regime. Shortly after Korea regained its independence, modern taekwondo (named from the ancient art of taek kyon) was established in 1955 and closely resembled Shotokan karate.

General Choi Hong Hi played a major role in popularising taekwondo and he insisted that all Korean soldiers were instructed in this 'new' martial art. Other new students included members of the police and air force. By 1965 the Korean Taekwondo Association had been formed and General Choi, as its president, went on to expand the operation by establishing the International Taekwondo Federation in America.

Demonstrations were given on a worldwide basis, and in 1973 the World Taekwondo Federation was eventually founded. It became recognised by the International Olympic Committee in 1980 and, eight years later, became an Olympic demonstration sport.