Chapter 19: Exportation

Ironically, Taekwondo experienced great growth because of the war. Many foreign soldiers who had learned Taekwondo in Vietnam later invited their instructors to visit them in their native country. Through Vietnam, many instructors gained the opportunity to teach Taekwondo throughout the world.

During November and December 1973, General Choi and a specially selected demonstration team, consisting of Kong Young II, Park Jong Soo, Rhee Ki Ha, Pak Sun Jae, and Choi Chang Keun, all 7th degree black belts, toured Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East. Thirteen countries were visited and the tour was an overwhelming success with more than 100,000 people watching the demonstrations in Egypt alone.

In 1974, the First World Taekwondo Championships were held in Montreal, Canada. In November and December 1974, General Choi led the Fourth International Taekwondo Demonstration Team, consisting of 10 of the world’s top instructors, to Jamaica, Curacao, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, and Surinam.

In November 1976, General Choi went to Holland to declare the opening of the First European Taekwondo Championships held in Amsterdam. In September 1977, he visited Sweden and Denmark to aid in the formation of their National Associations of Taekwondo.  In June 1979, the All Europe Taekwondo Federation was formed in Oslo, Norway.