Mixed martial arts may be the fastest growing sport in the world, but the world’s most popular participant martial art is TaeKwonDo. The Five Tenets of WTF style TaeKwonDo are Etiquette (Ye-Ui), Integrity (Yom-Chi), Perseverance (In-Nae), Self Control (Guk-Gi), and Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul-Bool Gool). Unfortunately, the ethical basis of the entire discipline was forgotten at the Kukkiwon headquarters this week.
The Kukkiwon is the official TaeKwonDo governing organization established by the South Korean government. It is supervised by the International Sports Division of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Unfortunately, recent board elections were marred by protest, and poop was thrown. Poop (Gomul) just doesn’t fit right with Etiquette, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and Indomitable Spirit.
Lee Han-soo has the story for the Korea Times.
International Taekwondo HQ in shambles
Brawls, insults and shouting marred a board of directors meeting at Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Kukkiwon initially planned to hold the meeting to elect a new chairman and board. But angry protesters thwarted the vote.
Protesters, including civic groups and taekwondo members, barricaded the front of a conference room and brawled with Kukkiwon employees. One protester threw a bag of feces into the corridor leading to the conference room.
The board meeting, convened by incumbent Kukkiwon Chairman Hong Moon-jong, a Saenuri Party lawmaker, planned to elect his successor and new directors.
Protesters claimed that it was not right for Hong, whose term ends Thursday, to participate in electing the new chairman and board.
“Hong is trying to continue his reign over Kukkiwon by appointing his close aides to important positions,” one protester said.
Hong, who was elected chairman in 2013, was advised to step down in accordance with the ban on lawmakers holding positions as sport institute chairmen.
But after Hong fulfilled his term, speculation rose that he might be trying to serve a consecutive term by establishing a “friendly” environment.
Hong denied the allegation and said he will not be running.
“I believed that appointing my successor and new board members will lessen the burden of my successor,” Hong said in a media report Wednesday. “However, since the taekwondo community believes that it is a job for my successor, I will leave without taking part in any selection of new personnel.”
