The taekwondo is a Korean martial art practiced, in general, without arms. Its name, taekwondo, according to the revised romanization of Korean, can be translated by the way of kicking and punching (tae 跆), stamping, (kwon 拳), punching and (do 道), method, art of living, spiritual way. From this definition comes the idea that taekwondo is not only a martial art but also a way to train one's mind and to achieve self-control through combat movements.

From a cultural point of view, taekwondo is a unification of the practices of several South Korean schools of the 1950s inspired by Shotokan karate (developed in Japan) and some characteristic elements of Korean martial arts (especially taekkyon). From a political point of view, Taekwondo was a nationalist propaganda tool whose purpose was to exalt the patriotism of the young South Korean nation following the Japanese occupation and the conflict with North Korea.

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Since the first international organization, the ITF (International Taekwondo Federation), born 1972, other two great structures of Taekwondo have been created, WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) and GTW (Global Taekwondo Federation).