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Designing Brand Identity
Grandmaster Park Jung Tae was the founder of the Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF). He established this organization in March 1990 with a clear mission: to develop Taekwon-Do free from political influence and commercial interests.
Prior to founding the GTF, Grandmaster Park worked closely for many years with General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwon-Do. He was one of the leading instructors of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) and served as its Secretary-General. When he left the ITF, numerous instructors who shared his principles followed him, forming the core of the new federation.
Prior to founding the GTF, Grandmaster Park worked closely for many years with General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwon-Do. He was one of the leading instructors of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) and served as its Secretary-General. When he left the ITF, numerous instructors who shared his principles followed him, forming the core of the new federation.
Grandmaster Park Jung Tae
(1943 – April 11, 2002)
Early Years and Military Service
Grandmaster Park began studying martial arts in his youth—initially boxing, judo, and karate (at that time, Taekwon-Do had not yet emerged as a distinct discipline). During the Vietnam War, he served for two years as the chief military martial arts instructor for South Korean, Vietnamese, and American troops. His technical mastery earned him wide recognition, and he became regarded as the premier Taekwon-Do trainer among allied forces.
Contribution to the
Development of Taekwon-Do
Development of Taekwon-Do
After the war, Grandmaster Park dedicated his life to promoting and spreading Taekwon-Do worldwide. He was one of the original twelve masters certified upon the establishment of the Korea Taekwon-Do Association—the first official organization for this martial art. He also co-authored the original Taekwon-Do patterns (forms).
Grandmaster Park played a pivotal role in introducing Taekwon-Do to countries including China, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, North Korea, Japan, and Russia.
He founded:
- The Taekwon-Do Federation of the USSR
- The Manitoba Taekwon-Do Association (Canada)
His mission was especially significant in nations with deeply rooted martial traditions. For example:
- In 1970, he first introduced Taekwon-Do to Vietnam—a country with its own indigenous martial art, Vovinam (Viet Vo Dao).
- In 1980, as a native of South Korea, he traveled to North Korea to develop Taekwon-Do there.
- From 1982 to 1984, he taught Taekwon-Do in Japan, a country renowned for its rich martial arts heritage.
- In 1988, he went to China with the same purpose.
- In March 1989, despite the official ban on martial arts in the USSR, he arrived in Moscow and helped organize and conduct the country’s first Taekwon-Do seminar.
Grandmaster Park played a pivotal role in introducing Taekwon-Do to countries including China, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, North Korea, Japan, and Russia.
He founded:
- The Taekwon-Do Federation of the USSR
- The Manitoba Taekwon-Do Association (Canada)
His mission was especially significant in nations with deeply rooted martial traditions. For example:
- In 1970, he first introduced Taekwon-Do to Vietnam—a country with its own indigenous martial art, Vovinam (Viet Vo Dao).
- In 1980, as a native of South Korea, he traveled to North Korea to develop Taekwon-Do there.
- From 1982 to 1984, he taught Taekwon-Do in Japan, a country renowned for its rich martial arts heritage.
- In 1988, he went to China with the same purpose.
- In March 1989, despite the official ban on martial arts in the USSR, he arrived in Moscow and helped organize and conduct the country’s first Taekwon-Do seminar.
Personal Qualities
Beyond his professional excellence, Grandmaster Park was a man of exceptional honesty, humility, and integrity. It was these qualities that inspired people to follow him and unite around his mission.
After His Passing
Following Grandmaster Park’s death on April 11, 2002, leadership of the GTF was assumed by his wife, Mrs. Linda Park, who, like her husband, has devoted her life to the advancement of Taekwon-Do.
GTF’s style and techniques remain closest to the original ITF, although differences exist—particularly in competition rules.
GTF’s style and techniques remain closest to the original ITF, although differences exist—particularly in competition rules.
Hon. Grandmaster Linda Park
President of GTF
