Also known as

Description

South Korean Army Major General and martial artist, founder of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). He played a central role in the creation and global expansion of taekwondo, founding the Oh Do Kwan and authoring the first English taekwondo syllabus. Born under Japanese occupation, he studied Shotokan karate under Funakoshi Gichin. After retiring from the military, he went into exile in Canada in 1972 and later moved to North Korea in 1979 where he continued promoting taekwondo until his death.

Teachers (1)

• 
  Funakoshi Gichin

  linkShotokan 1balance

  Uncertain - conflicting evidence recorded

  Wikipedia reports Choi's claim, but independent scholarship finds no record of Choi in Funakoshi's attendance records

  (1937-1942)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources

  fact_check

  Wikipedia reports Choi's claim, but independent scholarship finds no record of Choi in Funakoshi's attendance records

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Choi also claimed to have learned Shotokan karate under Funakoshi Gichin"

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Choi Hong-hi. Wikipedia (English)linkinfo

  blockdisputes

  "At that time, Funakoshi kept accurate records of attendance and promotions, and there have been no occurences found by scholars of Choi in those records."

  — Jeffries, Andy. (2023). Opinion piece: Choi Hong-hi, founder or fraudsterlinkinfo

Ranks (1)

• linkITF Taekwondo

  military_tech9 dan2

  Probable

  Wikipedia and ITF sources document 9th dan rank

  Dan-Kyu System

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  Wikipedia and ITF sources document 9th dan rank

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Choi Hong-hi. Wikipedia (English)linkinfo

Students (2)

• 
  Jae Hun Kim

  linkITF Taekwondo 3

  Confirmed

  TKD Seattle site confirms Kim trained personally with General Choi

  (1971-1978)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  TKD Seattle site confirms Kim trained personally with General Choi

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "He was especially fortunate to receive personal teachings from General Choi, Hong Hi"

  — Grandmaster Kim biography - learned from General Choilink
• Pa
  Park Jung-tae

  linkITF Taekwondo 3

  Confirmed

  Wikipedia confirms Park was a key ITF leader under Choi Hong-hi

  (1960-1990)

  expand_morefact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source

  fact_check

  Wikipedia confirms Park was a key ITF leader under Choi Hong-hi

  assessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  "Park was a key leader in the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) under Choi Hong-hi"

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Park Jung-tae. Wikipedia (English)linkinfo

Sources