Chapter 19: Exportation

Three main types of Taekwondo developed in Korea, each with different characteristics. The types are:

• The shorin school was Okinawan in origin. It was characterized by light, speedy movements that were best suited for smaller, lighter, quicker persons. It was best for speed development.
• The shorei school was Japanese in origin. It was characterized by slow, forceful movements that were best suited for larger, heavier, slower persons. It was best for muscular development.
• The changhon (blue cottage, the pseudonym of General Hi) school was characterized by fast and slow, and light and forceful movements used together with extensive footwork. It was best for all around development of all body types.

In Korea, the study of Taekwondo spread rapidly from the army into high schools and colleges. Public dojangs sprang up everywhere. Taekwondo had begun to blossom. The first leaders of the KTA saw the potential for the spread and growth of their art and used their authority to send instructors and demonstration teams around the world.

Korea quickly began to export its new martial art under the direction of General Choi Hong Hi. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, thousands of Taekwondo demonstrators performed around the world before fascinated governments. With few exceptions, governments followed up such exhibitions with requests for Korean instructors to teach Taekwondo in their countries.