Chapter 20: International Taekwondo Federation

In September 1984, Choi Hong Hi invited key instructors such as Lee Su Hi, Rhee Ki Ha, Park Jung Tae and Choi Jung Hwa to Pyongyang to finalize the publication of his Encyclopedia of Taekwondo.

A desire to establish a strong location for spreading Taekwondo throughout the world, especially in socialist, Third World countries, and politically disadvantaged countries, led the ITF to consider leaving Canada. In December 1984, the Fifth ITF Congress meeting in Vienna unanimously decided to relocate the ITF to Vienna, the capital city of Austria. In 1985, the ITF moved to Vienna and Choi published the Encyclopedia of Taekwondo, which documented all Taekwondo techniques.

On September 20, 1985, during the administration of Kim iL Sung (North Korea) and General Chun Doo Hwan (South Korea) visitors and art performers of South and North Korea were exchanged simultaneously between the two countries. It was the first time in 40 years since the division of the country that separated families in two Koreas had an opportunity to meet their lost families. An art performance was held at Pyongyang Grand Theatre by South, and at Seoul National Theater by the North on September 21 and 22.

On June 11, 1986, Choi took the DPRK Taekwondo demonstration team to the People's Republic of China. The members of the Korean Taekwondo team made a wonderful performance and created a stir in the capital of Beijing, and in the cities of Xian and Jinam. It was Taekwondo's first appearance in China and the performance made a deep impression on the people. This visit eventually became the motivation for the Chinese people adopt Taekwondo as a martial art.