跆拳道是韓國的國技。其起源於古時代民間的自衛術、與「跆」、「跟」的使用有很大的關係。於1965年期，由崔泓熙將軍將其歸納並發展以「跆」指踢擊、「拳」指拳擊、「道」指自我的修行的搏擊之術而命名為「跆拳道」金雲龍任首屆主席），國際奧委會亦於1980年正式承認了世界跆拳道聯盟的地位。

隨着國技院於1972年和世界跆拳道聯盟(WT)於1973年之成立（而跆拳道於1988年漢城奧運會成為表演項目。到了2000年，悉尼奧運會更被正式列為競賽項目，跆拳道的國際地位亦再一次被確定。

Taekwondo is the national sport of South Korea. Its origins are closely related to ancient self-defense techniques, as well as the usage of "tae" and "kwon." In 1965, General Choi Hong Hee summarized and developed it as a martial art named "Taekwondo," where "tae" refers to kicking, "kwon" refers to punching, and "do" refers to the path of self-cultivation (with Kim Un Yong serving as the first president). The International Olympic Committee officially recognized the status of the World Taekwondo Federation (WT) in 1980.

With the establishment of the National Sport Institute in 1972 and the World Taekwondo Federation (WT) in 1973, Taekwondo became a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. By 2000, it was officially included as a competitive event in the Sydney Olympic Games, further solidifying Taekwondo's international status.