“Taekwondo, Facing the World” Exhibition Showcases Legacy and History of Taekwondo

New Delhi: The Korean Cultural Centre India inaugurated a unique exhibition titled “Taekwondo, Facing the World,” showcasing the evolution of Taekwondo from its origins in Korea to its current status as a global sport practiced in over 200 countries. The exhibition features historical materials from the National Taekwondo Museum of Korea and will be open to the public until August 1, 2025.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, Lee Seong-ho, along with other dignitaries. The exhibition highlights the journey of Taekwondo from its development in the 1950s to its current status as an official Olympic event.

Taekwondo has grown significantly in India, with the country producing world-class athletes across all age groups. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recently recognized India Taekwondo as the national sports federation responsible for governing the sport in India. The Korean Cultural Centre India has been supporting Taekwondo classes in Indian schools since 2021 and has signed an MOU with India Taekwondo to enhance training capacity.

Ambassador Lee Seong-ho emphasized the spirit and values of Taekwondo, highlighting the growing passion for the sport among young people in India. He said, “This exhibition celebrates the spirit and values of Taekwondo – discipline, perseverance, and self-control. I am especially happy to see the growing passion for Taekwondo among young people in India. What makes me even happier is that Indian athletes are already shining on the global stage. As we look ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Korea is committed to supporting Indian athletes in their pursuit for medals through technical training, guidance from experienced Korean masters, and modern coaching methods. We will open a branch of Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters, in Delhi soon.”

Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India and a senior BJP leader, praised the sport, saying, “Taekwondo has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds because the game is a sheer delight. The speed, the reflexes, the agility, the holistic development of physical fitness is so critical in this game. To have spread this sport in over 200 countries is a great achievement. It’s a great game and therefore it is also part of the Olympics. Every youngster wants to have these belts that are part of the sport.”

Namdev Shirgaonkar, President of India Taekwondo, highlighted the deep relationship between India Taekwondo and the Korean Cultural Centre India, saying, “India Taekwondo and the Korean Cultural Centre India share a deep and meaningful relationship. Together we have worked towards not only promoting Taekwondo in India, but also strengthening cultural bonds between our nations, Korea and India. This collaboration has already borne fruit. Our athletes have recently achieved commendable success in international events – World Championships and Asian Championships – standing tall on global platforms. Looking forward, I am confident that we can aspire to win more medals at World Championships and upcoming Asian Games in Japan.”

The exhibition showcases the strong relationship between India Taekwondo and the Korean Cultural Centre India, which has led to commendable success in international events.