What is the history of taekwondo? How did it become Korea's national sport or martial art?

In the early history of the Korean peninsula, when tribal states were formed after the Neolithic age, martial art contests took place during ritual events. At the time, people learned techniques from their experiences fighting against wild animals, whose defensive and offensive motions were the subject of analysis. It is believed that this was the true beginning of today's taekwondo, which was known under different names during different periods, such as subak, taekkyon, takkyon and others.

During the era of the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Shilla, youth warrior units were organized, such as the Hwarangdo in Shilla and the Chouisonin in Goguryeo. Both adopted martial arts training. Experts believe that taekwondo further evolved during this period and was refined in the following centuries.

In the Joseon Dynasty, the Muyedobotongji was published. An illustrated book detailing Korea's martial arts, the fourth volume, called "Hand-fighting Techniques" contained pictures of 38 motions which closely resemble today's basic taekwondo positions, known as poomsae. The modern versions have been improved through scientific study.

After the country's liberation from Japanese rule in 1945, martial arts experts began opening taekwondo gyms all over the country. After the end of the Korean War (1950-1953), taekwondo was popularized by the dan-grade black-belts within the country. Taekwondo was designated as the national martial art in 1971. The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), established in 1973, currently counts 164 member countries. In 1974, taekwondo was made an official event at the Asian games. The WTF became an IOC-recognized sports federation in 1980, making taekwondo an Olympic sport. Taekwondo then went on to become an official event in the World Games in 1981, the Pan-American games in 1986, and finally at the 2000 Olympics in Australia.