Choi Hong-hi: A Timeline – Cheongnyong-yu Taekwondo

Choi Hong-hi was a pivotal figure in the development of Taekwondo, and is the founder of the Changheon-yu style of Taekwondo.

This page lists the events of his life in chronological order, with as specific dates as is known. This page will be edited and updated over time.

Timeline

9 November 1918

Choi Hong-hi is born in 함경북도 hamgyeongbukdo – North Hamgyeong Province – in what is now North Korea, but which was then under Japanese rule. ^{[1, 2, 3]}

1937

Choi travels to Japan to study English and Mathematics, and while there begins training in Karate. ^{[1, 3]}

1939

Choi is promoted to first degree black belt in Karate.

1942

Choi returns to Korea, where he is drafted into the Japanese army. ^{[1, 2]}

August 1945

Choi is freed from prison just days before being executed, having originally been imprisoned for treason after attempting to join the underground Korean Liberation Army. ^{[1, 2, 3]}

January 1946

Choi is commissioned as a second lieutenant in the newly-formed Korean army.

22 May 1951

Choi’s first son, Choi Jung-hwa, is born on 제주도 jejudo – Jeju Island.

1952

Choi starts a Taekwondo training programme in the military. ^[2]

1954

Choi is promoted to the rank of major general. ^[3]

11 April 1955

Choi takes part in the naming committee that decides upon the name ‘Taekwondo’ – a name he suggested – for the martial arts styles that he and others have been developing. ^{[2, 3]}

1959

Choi and a number of high-ranking students begin touring the Far East to demonstrate Taekwondo.^[3]

Choi publishes the first edition of his textbook on Taekwondo in Korean. https://historyoftaekwondo.org/2015/04/10/1st-ever-taekwon-do-book/ ^[5]

1962

Choi is sent to Malaysia as an ambassador. ^[2]

1965

Choi publishes an edition of his Taekwondo textbook in English. ^[2]

1966

Choi establishes the International Taekwon-do Federation. ^{[1, 2]}

May 1966

Choi publishes the Republic of Korea’s Army Taekwondo Manual – a book similar to his Taekwondo textbook, though his name is not printed anywhere in it. https://historyoftaekwondo.org/2015/07/01/the-1966-rok-army-taekwon-do-manual/ ^[4]

1972

Choi emigrates to Canada after the South Korean government objects to his attempts to introduce Taekwondo to North Korea.^[2]

1974

Choi holds the first Taekwondo world championship in Montreal, Canada.^[3]

1981

Choi promotes Choi Chang-keun to eighth degree black belt.

2002

Choi promotes Choi Chang-keun to ninth degree black belt.

15 June 2002

Choi dies of stomach cancer in 평양시 pyeongyangshi – Pyeongyang, North Korea – aged 83. ^{[1, 2, 3]}