ITF

International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)

ITF Since Choi's Death (Last Testament of Gen.Choi)

Taekwondo Pioneers - The Grandmasters

ITF Since Choi's Death

During an International Taekwondo Instructors Course (Seminar) in Budapest-Hungary on March 9-11, 2001, General Choi unofficially announced the appointment of his son Master Choi Jung Hwa as the future head of the organization. Later General Choi confirmed his decision at a Congress held in Rimini, Italy in July 2001 and at a Special Congress in Austria in January 2002. A group of Europeans, led by a Vietnamese did not accept master Choi Jung Hwa as a new president, so there was speculation as to whether Master Choi would inherit the top ITF post from his father.

During an interview with Taekwondo Times correspondent Susan Richards in Budapest, she asked Master Choi if there would be any changes in the ITF when he took over the reigns. He responded : "I want to reinforce the technical standard we have always stood for and I want a more friendly organization. One cannot help but feel that our (the ITF's) lofty ideals have deviated somewhat. We must remember that the International Taekwondo Federation is comprised of its members and it is the organization's duty to serve them. I also want to promote a fairer and more unbiased organization. There will be no room for Taekwondo Geishas's in the future. Also, it is a lifelong dream of our Founder to see more varieties of Taekwondo techniques implemented in free sparring. I have assigned Master Nestor Gallarraga, Chairman of the Tournament Committee to form a Committee to study and train members regarding this. We will talk more when a report is submitted to the executive board. Realistically speaking, it will be a demo at the ITF Worlds in Italy."

Ms. Rihardson also questioned Master Choi about his first order of business as the new president of the ITF. "General Choi will definitely retire in 2003. As a democratic institute, the next president will be elected through a democratic process. This is my wish, Whoever takes over (the ITF) will have delicately balance the tradition of the martial arts with a realistic, modern way of running an organization of this magnitude. If I am the new leader. I will first access Taekwondo activities worldwide in a scientific and objective way With fairness and compassion, I will open avenues for those who have left the International Taekwondo Federation to return to their rightful home."

Last Testament of General Choi Hong Hi

I am the man who has the most followers in the world.
I am the happiest man who has done everything to do in my life.
It is fortunate you have come.
Is Mr. Chang Ung here?
Mr. Rhe Ki Ha, it is good that you have come. I am glad that my son and daughters like you most.
You probably might know Mr. Chang Ung well. It is time to introduce Mr. Chang Ung proudly in public.
Please carry on propaganda that Mr. Chang Ung is the tallest and in the highest position in the ITF.
If only I had been as tall as Mr. Chang Ung I could have had less opponents. However, as my body was so tiny that there were many opponents. Thus all alone I could not but fight against them for so long.
But I have never been worn out for the justice was on my side.
I have always worried about a successor to the president. However, my mind is set at ease for there is Mr. Chang Ung.
Mr. Hwang Kwnag Sung, your duty is very big and important as a spokesman, and chairman of the Merger Committee. It was my wish to merge the Taekwondo into one. Please get on your own duty responsibly.
Mr. Park Jong Soo had immigrated into Canada in 1967.
Before that he educated Taekwondo in Europe.
In 1972 went to Canada where Mr. Park Jong Soo resided leaving my children behind without informing them.
In those days Taekwondo was not widely spread, so that I used to say to crave the words of Taekwondo on my coffin.
Now Taekwondo has developed on a large scale.
Mr. Leong Wai Meng is a man of conscience indeed, He has given great contribution to educating the Taekwondo.
As I thought his finance is in good condition I drew his name out on the stockholders list of the Chang Hun Foundation.
Mr. Hwang Jin is doing well on the way of Mr. Chon Jin Sik.
So I appointed him as a member of the Consultative Committee.
Please enlarge the Consultative Committee into 9 members. Here I appoint Mr. Jong Hae Hun.
My followers.
Taekwondo never exists without the DPR of Korea.
You should know this.
The ITF is an international organization and does it need to argue about ideology?
Does the United Nations belong to the Africans because the Secretary General a black man?
Please give up this kind of idea.
Taekwondo must be Korean centered.
Choi Jung Hwa lied to me at the airport. I was again deceived. You ought to tell the public throughout the internet that I did not forgive Jung Hwa. I forgave him as a father but the Taekwondoists would never forgive him
Before Jung Hwa apologizes to Taekwondoists the world over, he will never be forgiven. While I am still alive you should send the message to the internet the soonest as possible.

On 11th June 2002 in Pyongyang (16,30-17,10h), DPR Korea.

Witnessed by;

Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha, 9th dan- Vice President
Grand Master Hwang Kwang Sung, 9th dan-Spokesman and special aide.
Grand Master Park Jong Soo, 9th dan-Member of Consultative Council.
Master Leong Wai Meng-Chairman of Consultative Committee.
Master Hwang Jin-Member of Consultative Council.
Mr. Hwang Bong Yong-Chairman of the Korean Taekwondo Committee.
Mr. Jong Jae Hun-Secretary General of the International Martial Art Games Committee.
Mr. Ra Bong Man-Secretary of the Korean Taekwondo Committee.

On September 22, 2002, 70 representatives from 46 countries attended a memorial service for General Cho. The solemn and memorable service was held in Pyongyang, North Korea, the birthplace of General Choi. A special Congress of the ITF was also held on September 22, 2002 to uphold the General's last wish to elect Mr. Chang Ung as the new president of the International Taekwondo Federation. In his last words, and before nine officials of the ITF, General Choi named Mr. Chang Ung as the new president of the International Taekwondo Federation

In his acceptance speech. Chang Ung stated nine goals for his presidency:

Establish unity and harmony among ITF members throughout the world
Restructure the constitution of the ITF to make continental and national organizations stronger
Gain recognition from the International Olympic Committee for the ITF
Unite ITF and WTF Taekwondo
Establish strong financial resources for the ITF according to international law, ITF regulations and the Taekwondo ethic
Help national governing bodies by securing sponsorships and financial aid
Activate the Chan Hun Taekwondo Foundation to help the ITF financially
Work hard to carry out General Choi Hong Hi's traditional Taekwondo philosophy and practice

There was conflict within the ITF before Choi's death and it escalated after his death. There are now 3 main ITF groups who claim to be the "real" ITF:

ITF Vienna: led by Tran Trieu Quan, who was elected as the new president.
ITF North Korea: led by Chang Ung, who was named by Choi to be his successor.
ITF Canada: led by Choi Jung Hwa, who is Choi's son.