The Definition of Tae Kwon Do

To put it succinctly, Tae Kwon Do is the Korean form of unarmed self-defense. Tae means to use the foot to Kick, Kwon means fist and Do translate to way, art or method. Tae Kwon Do employs 17 different forms of attacks to 54 vulnerable parts of the body, and could be quite lethal to an attacker. Tae Kwon Do is a form of unarmed defense involving the skilled application of punches, blocks, dodges, interceptions, open hand strikes, punches and kicks to incapacitate or neutralize an attacker. Despite the fact that Tae Kwon Do could be lethal TKD ethics demand that a student have restraint and exercise self-control.

In the Republic of South Korea Tae Kwon Do represents more than a form of self-defense, it is a philosophy and way of life. Tae Kwon Do is the National Sport of Korea, and it is practiced in primary and secondary schools.