Tae Kwondo is a Korean martial art and national sport of South Korea as well as used by the South Korean Military. Translated in Korean Tae (strike or break with the foot), Kwon (strike or bread with the fist) Do means (way), loosely translated ‘the way of kicking and punching.
 
Taekwando organisations state that taekwando was formed from the earlier Korean martial arts , some say that taekwando derived from native Korean martial arts with influence from neighbouring countries or was to a degree influenced by karate during the Japanese occupation.

The oldest Korean martial art was amalgamated with combat styles by the three Korean kingdoms of Gouryeo, Silla and Baekje , men were trained in unarmed combat, strength, speed and survival techniques. Most popular was Subak, with taekkyeon being the most popular of Subak.

During these times an elite few select Sillian warriors were given training in taekkyeon by the early masters from Koguryo. These warriors became known as Hwarang. The Hwarang set up a military academy for the sons of royalty and influence , in Silla called Hwarang –do ‘The way of flowering manhood’.

The guiding principles were based on Won Gwangs five codes of human conduct loyalty, filial duty, trustworthiness, valor and justice Taekkyeon was spread throughout Korea. Formal practices of traditional subak and taekkyeon were reserved for military uses. Ordinary people still practiced Taekkyeon as a kicking game into the 19th century.

Taekwando Demonstration Video: