The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) was established on March 22, 1966, by General Choi Hong Hi in Seoul, South Korea, with the mission to promote and develop the Korean martial art of Taekwon-Do globally. Following General Choi’s exile from South Korea, the ITF headquarters were relocated to Vienna, Austria. After his death in 2002, disputes over his succession led to the fragmentation of the ITF into multiple organizations, each claiming legitimacy.
ITF Headquarters Korea
The ITF Headquarters Korea (ITF HQ Korea) positions itself as the sole recognized ITF entity in South Korea, the birthplace of Taekwon-Do. It emphasizes its location in Taekwon-Do’s homeland as a cornerstone of its authenticity. ITF HQ Korea offers services such as membership, accreditation, training, and information dissemination to Taekwon-Do practitioners worldwide.
Other ITF Entities
The schisms within the ITF have resulted in several separate organizations, each asserting legitimacy:
- ITF-Vienna (ITF-V) – Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, this faction is led by President Ri Yong Son. It maintains the original location of the ITF headquarters following General Choi’s relocation and is one of the most widely recognized ITF organizations worldwide.
- ITF-North Korea (ITF-NK) – Based in Pyongyang, North Korea, this group is under the leadership of Professor Chang Ung. It has strong ties to the North Korean government and operates separately from the other ITF factions.
- ITF-Administration (ITF-C) – Led by Choi Jung Hwa, the son of General Choi, this faction operates out of the United Kingdom. It claims to follow the teachings of General Choi while maintaining an independent organizational structure.
ITF Organizations in the USA and Their Affiliations
Several organizations function as National Associations under the umbrella of different ITF entities in the United States. These groups serve as the official representatives of their respective international bodies, promoting and regulating ITF Taekwon-Do within the country.
- ITF America (Affiliated with ITF-Vienna) – ITF America is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official National Association for ITF-Vienna in the USA. It was established to promote ITF Taekwon-Do in the United States and to continue the legacy of its founder, General Choi Hong Hi. The organization provides access to ITF international certification, seminars, and competitions on both national and global scales.
- ITF-USA (Affiliated with ITF-Vienna) – ITF-USA serves as the official governing body for ITF-Vienna in the United States. Structured as a nonprofit and democratically-run organization, its mission is to promote traditional Taekwon-Do as taught by General Choi Hong Hi.
- ITF HQ-USA (Affiliated with ITF HQ Korea) – ITF HQ-USA operates as the principal authority of the Chang Hun Taekwon-Do movement in the United States. Recognized and closely working with the South Korean government, it offers individual memberships to practitioners, supporters, and family members interested in Taekwon-Do. Members become part of the International Taekwon-Do Federation Headquarters, connecting them to the homeland of Taekwon-Do.
- United States International Taekwon-Do Federation (Affiliated with ITF-North Korea) – This organization aligns with ITF-North Korea and operates within the U.S. to promote Taekwon-Do under the guidance of Chang Ung’s faction.
- Original ITF Taekwon-Do of America (Affiliated with ITF-Vienna) – Based in Franklin, North Carolina, this organization operates under the leadership of President Andrew Jestin. It follows the leadership of ITF-Vienna and serves as one of the key ITF affiliates in the United States.
Legitimacy Considerations
The legitimacy of these ITF factions is a subject of ongoing debate within the Taekwon-Do community. Factors influencing legitimacy include adherence to General Choi’s teachings, organizational governance, international recognition, and alignment with the original principles of the ITF.
For instance, ITF HQ Korea emphasizes its connection to South Korea, the homeland of Taekwon-Do, as a key factor in its legitimacy. Conversely, ITF-Vienna maintains the original headquarters established by General Choi after his exile, which some argue preserves the organizational continuity. ITF-North Korea operates within a completely different political and philosophical framework, aligning itself with the North Korean government.
In summary, the fragmentation of the ITF has led to multiple organizations, each asserting its legitimacy based on different criteria. Practitioners often choose affiliations based on personal beliefs, regional presence, and alignment with specific interpretations of Taekwon-Do philosophy.
References
- “International Taekwon-Do Federation.” Wikipedia, last modified February 25, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Taekwon-Do_Federation
- “ITF HQ Korea, Taekwon-Do in its Homeland.” ITF HQ Korea. https://www.itfofficial.org/
- “Why Are There So Many ITFs?” TKD Talk, July 15, 2018. https://tkdtalk.co.nz/why-are-there-so-many-itfs/
- “Fédération Internationale de Taekwon-Do.” Wikipedia, last modified March 17, 2025. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federaci%C3%B3n_Internationale_de_Taekwon-Do
- “ITF AMERICA – The Official National Association of the International Taekwon-Do Federation in the USA.” ITF America. https://www.itfamerica.org/
- “ITF-USA – by the ITF for the USA.” ITF-USA. https://itf-usa.org/
- “ITF HQ-USA.” ITF HQ-USA. https://itfhq-usa.com/
- “Members – International Taekwon‑Do Federation.” International Taekwon‑Do Federation. https://www.itf-tkd.org/members/
