Choi Hong Hi
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Template:Koreanname Choi Hong Hi (born December 22, 1918 - June 15, 2002) was a South Korean army general considered the founder of Taekwondo.
General Choi was born in what was to be North Korea during the Japanese Colonial Period and died in P'yŏngyang, the North Korean capital. During his adult life, however, Choi lived in Japan, South Korea, and Canada gaining the title "General" during his career in the South Korean army.
As a boy he was educated in Korea under the japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula. At that time many of the traditions of the Korean people were suppressed by the Japanese including the countries ancient martial arts which were and still are renowned for the dynamic kicking techniques that are taught in them. Choi Hong Hi was trained in the Korean martial art of Taekyon in secret. When he became older he went to Japan to study at university, there he also trained in Shotokhan Karate and achieved the rank of black belt within 2 years of training. He combined aspects of karate with aspects of the ancient Korean martial arts to create Taekwon-do.
See also
External links
- Guardian obituary of General Choi (http://www.guardian.co.uk/korea/article/0,2763,771475,00.html)