I think this 'new branding' of the Kukkiwon maybe a step in the wrong direction, for a number of reasons:
1. WTF Taekwondo will be seen more like a sport and less like a martial art...
2. Kukkiwon 'belt standards' will over time change to reflect the WTF agenda and the 'martial arts' aspects will be be further diluted, as more 'master' grades are promoted to spread TKD as a Korean sport
Not interested in bashing the KKW, but I think it's patently obvious that their primary vision of TKD is as a sport. That is the message I get when most every press release they put out makes a reference to 'sport'.
It's there in the link above again for example.
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It has been 22 years since taekwondo made its debut on the international stage at the 1988 Seoul Olympics as a demonstration sport. The Korean martial art has made strenuous efforts to promote the taekwondo spirit and is consequently being r
ecognized worldwide among other sports in the same category.
....
Former IOC vice president Kim Un-yong long served as the Kukkiwon president from 1971 until 1991. He played a leading role
in the sport making its debut on the international stage, like at the Olympics.
....
Choue's suggestion is based on the i
dea that sports can be effective tools in bringing people together, which was proved with the successful launching of the WTF Taekwondo Peace Corps. The program initiated in 2008 and brought a positive response from youths around the world by providing chances
to learn the spirit of the sport.
....
The corps is endeavoring to implement comprehensive sport-related assistance in many areas including underdeveloped countries. The organization is focusing on offering assistance including equipment, skills and training for local
athletes and
coaches for any
Olympic sport in needy countries to lead them to eventually lean toward Korea.
....
Kang is also eager to improve relations with the KTA in order to help nourish taekwondo in a concerted effort. The organization also introduced a working program on Sept. 16 to attract the local teens and adults.
"
Many taekwondo practitioners learn the sport when they are children but they give up as they grow older unless they want be professional athletes."
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If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck... So, if you're just a dojang owner interested in teaching martial TKD, what appeal would KKW membership have to you? It seems like the sport aspect is predominantly what the KKW spends its attention and resources on.
