Kukkiwon
Encyclopedia : K : KU : KUK : Kukkiwon
Kukkiwon http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/english/index.jsp, also known as the World Taekwondo Headquarters, is an organization in the Gangnam-gu district of Seoul, South Korea. It was established on November 30, 1972. The Kukkiwon serves as the issuing body for Taekwondo Dan (black belt degrees) promotion and certification. In addition, the Kukkiwon conducts research and instructional seminars and is home to the World Taekwondo Academy which trains and certifies Taekwondo instructors through its leadership course. The Academy is also entrusted to conduct two instructor courses by the Korean Ministry of Culture and Sports. One is the course for 2nd class coaches and the other is the one for 3rd class instructors of sports for all. Nearly 5,400 persons have become instructors and coaches registered with the Korean Ministry of Culture and Sports through these courses.
Only a small number of selected practitioners (non-Koreans) can participate in these programs. In 1998 fewer than 20 Americans (93 non-Koreans, from 32 countries) were issued an International Instructors Licenses by the Academy at the 1st Foreigner Instructors Course. Some of the graduates of this historic event were Ran Zohar, Mike Snisky, Andy Bouloutian, from Pennsylvania; Dennis Enberg, Rob Cleek, Al Cole from Cleveland, Ohio; Wes Dees, Christina Bailey, from Dayton Ohio; Marika Powell from Palm Beach, FL; and Mary Zeller from Utah. The curriculum for belt promotion is specified and certified by the Kukkiwon, including required and compulsory poomsae (kata or forms), sparring, and breaking techniques.
The Kukkiwon is the only Taekwondo institute's Dan that is recognized by World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).[link] The WTF governs the competition aspects of Taekwondo as the International Federation of Taekwondo of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The WTF does not issue degrees or black belt certification. The Kukkiwon and the WTF are separate organizations, although the two are often confused with each other. As a result, the term WTF is sometimes used to refer to the Kukkiwon style taekwondo.
The Kukkiwon was the bridgehead to promote Taekwondo as an international sport, now having made it an official sport of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games after participation in Seoul and Barcelona Olympic Games twice as a demonstration sport. It is also involved in technical development and researches of Taekwondo, collection of related materials, public relations and publications, and training of coaches and students.
See also
External links
- [Kukkiwon] World Taekwondo Headquarters
- [World Taekwondo Federation] Official site of the WTF
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