Tae Kwon Do is a version of an ancient form of unarmed combat practiced for many centuries in the orient. Tae Kwon Do became perfected in its present form in South Korea.
Translated from Korean “Tae” literally means to jump, kick or smash with the foot. “Kwon” means a fist, chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. “Do” means art, way or method. Tae Kwon do indicates the technique of unarmed combat for self defence, involving the skilled application of punches, kicks, block, dodges and interception with the hands, arms and feet to the rapid destruction of the opponent.
To the Korean people Tae Kwon Do is more than a mere use of skilled movements. It also implies a way of thinking and life, particularly in instilling a concept and spirit of strict self-imposed discipline and ideal of noble moral re-armament.
In these days of violence and intimidation, which seems to plague out modern societies, Tae Kwon Do enables the weak to possess a fine weapon to defend his or herself and defeat the opponent as well. When wrongly applied it can be a lethal weapon.