Kukkiwon

Kukkiwon, also known as World Taekwondo Headquarters, and home of the World Taekwondo Academy, is where the official taekwondo governing organization was established by the South Korean government. It is supervised by the International Sports Division of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

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History

Kukkiwon is based at 635 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea. Construction of the main building commenced on 19 November 1971, and was completed on 30 November 1972, with the organization being officially named on 6 February 1973.
In May 1973, the Korea Taekwondo Association and Kukkiwon hosted the first World Taekwondo Championships, with 200 taekwondo competitors from 17 countries in attendance. Kukkiwon has had a permanent taekwondo demonstration team since September 1974.
Un Yong Kim was the first President of Kukkiwon, and resigned from the position on 15 November 2001. Woon Kyu Uhm of the Chung Do Kwan was elected president on 2 March 2004. The President in late 2005 was Yong Gye Um. On 10 December 2009, Seung Wan Lee of the Jidokwan was elected as Kukkiwon's next President.
In mid-2010, Won Sik Kang became the president; he was also the current president of Song Moo Kwan, Korea. President Kang stepped down at the end of his term of office in early 2013. After him the interim president while awaiting an election was Grandmaster Kyu Sok Lee, who also serves as Secretary-General for the Asian Taekwondo Union. Kim Chung Gun later acted as the Chair-in-Office. The next president was Grandmaster Lee Kyu Hyung after being provisionally named by the Director of the organization's board as of August 20, 2013; he resigned after a short period, claiming he was unable to perform the role to the best of his abilities due to political issues.
The current president is Grandmaster Ung Suk Yun, elected on November 1, 2025.

List of Presidents

The President of Kukkiwon is the head of the institution and determines its overall direction and policies. In carrying out official duties, the president is supported by an executive committee and cooperates with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea. Originally established as a foundation, Kukkiwon was reorganised as a sports organisation and incorporated in the MCST in February 2010; as a result, official chronologies include two separate numerical sequences: one for Kukkiwon as a foundation and another as Kukkiwon Incorporated.
Over the years, the method for electing the president has evolved. Initially, the appointment was made by a small group of designated officials; later, a more democratic electoral system was introduced, granting voting rights also to non-Korean representatives holding a high dan rank.

Promotion examinations

Promotion examination for Dan and Poom ranks in Taekwondo is the process through which a practitioner’s technical skills, physical preparedness, and mental discipline are evaluated. Achieving a rank represents a mark of prestige within the art. The current system includes four Poom levels and nine Dan levels.

Standardization of Examinations

Following the unification of the Kwan, the Kukkiwon faced the complex challenge of standardizing Dan and Poom promotion systems. While all members agreed on the need for a unified system, they had to reconcile differing technical standards and traditions. With the founding of the Korea Taekwondo Association in September 1961, the association took over the issuance of Dan certificates, which had previously been issued by individual kwans. The first official promotion examination under the new unified system was held on 11 November 1962 at the KTA, establishing a schedule of six annual examination sessions. With the opening of the Kukkiwon in 1972, the administration of rank examinations was transferred to the new institute. In 1980, the KTA delegated the issuance of Dan and Poom certificates to the Kukkiwon, effective from 1 March that year.
The international spread of Taekwondo created the need to hold examinations outside Korea. Initially, only Korean masters —holders of high Dan ranks — could serve as examiners; later, this role was extended to foreign masters holding at least a 4th Dan. This expansion, however, led to some local deviations from Kukkiwon’s technical standards. Furthermore, in July 1984, the issuance of foreign Dan certificates was temporarily delegated to World Taekwondo, resulting in a period when certificates were issued by two different organizations. At the end of 1987, it was established that the Kukkiwon would become the sole authority responsible for issuing ranks, effective 1 January 1988.
To ensure uniformity of examinations, rules were introduced to strengthen the central role of the Kukkiwon in evaluation procedures, both nationally and internationally. In this context, the Master Education program and the Examiner Education program were established and continue to be organized by the Kukkiwon. Completion of these courses is required for official recognition by the Kukkiwon as a certified examiner for Dan and Poom promotion tests.

Poom Rank: Examinations for Children

In 1970, starting from the 38th promotion examination, the KTA introduced separate tests for children. In February 1973, the Kukkiwon hosted the first official examination exclusively for children, and from that point onward, examinations for those under 15 were organized monthly. The Taegeuk poomsae were integrated into promotion tests in 1975. From 1 March 1983, Dan ranks for practitioners under 15 were officially designated as Poom, while the fourth Poom level was only introduced in 1999 following a regulation revision.
Abroad, Poom examinations are typically held alongside Dan tests and generally feature slightly simplified requirements. Poom ranks are automatically converted to Dan once the practitioner reaches the appropriate age.

Modern Examinations

Promotion tests typically include several core components: poomsae performance, sparring, breaking, self-defense, and theoretical knowledge. Examinations may be conducted in local dojangs, but for Dan and Poom ranks, examiners must have completed the Kukkiwon’s Master Education and Examiner Education programs.
Current promotion rules are as follows:

1st–3rd Dan: Examination in front of a local technical committee, including at least one examiner certified according to Kukkiwon standards.
4th–7th Dan: In addition to the local committee examination, a video recording of the test must be submitted to the Kukkiwon for final evaluation. Promotion is confirmed by the Kukkiwon once technical requirements are met. Depending on the rank, a written thesis and a martial and athletic curriculum may also be required.
8th–9th Dan: The exam must be conducted directly at the Kukkiwon before the Technical Deliberation Committee, which also evaluates the candidate’s career.

Dan and Poom Certificates

As of January 2026, the Kukkiwon has issued over 12.27 million certificates, cementing its central role in this martial art. These certificates are recognized worldwide as the most prestigious ranks in Taekwondo. Only holders of Kukkiwon-issued Dan and Poom certificates are eligible to participate in international competitions organized by World Taekwondo.
Over the years, the Kukkiwon has redesigned the Dan and Poom certificates. To ensure the highest quality, surveys were conducted, the issuance system restructured, new color schemes developed, various types of paper researched, and different printing techniques tested. A distinctive feature of the new design is the clear graphical differentiation between the rank levels, divided into five categories:

1st to 4th Poom, for youth practitioners;
1st to 3rd Dan, for instructors;
4th and 5th Dan, for masters ;
6th and 7th Dan, for high-ranking Dan holders ;
8th and 9th Dan, for grandmasters.

Global Distribution of Dan and Poom Certificates

As of January 2026, the total number of Dan and Poom ranks worldwide exceeds 12.27 million, with Poom holders outnumbering Dan holders, reflecting the significant growth of the discipline in recent years. Most holders are South Korean: 84% of Poom holders and 82% of Dan holders. The remaining 16% of Pooms and 18% of Dans are distributed globally. Among foreign countries, the most represented are in order the United States, followed by China, and then Taipei, India, Canada, Vietnam, Australia, and Indonesia.

Distribution of Poom Ranks

Approximately half of all Poom certificates are 1st Poom, followed by 2nd Poom at just over 30%. 3rd Poom accounts for around 14%, and 4th Poom about 6%. The 4th Poom is converted to Dan upon reaching the age of 17. Despite its relatively recent introduction in 1999, the number of holders has now stabilized, with over 98% of 4th Poom holders being South Korean.

Distribution of Dan Ranks

Among Dan ranks, 1st Dan is the most common among adult practitioners, comprising about 25% of Dan holders. Including Poom ranks, it is the most common rank overall in Taekwondo. 2nd Dan accounts for 17% and 3rd Dan for 8%. From 5th Dan onward, the number of holders decreases sharply, down to only 1,564 9th Dan holders, the vast majority of whom are South Korean.

Dan and Poom Rank Distribution by Country

The table below shows the number of Kukkiwon certificates issued in the most populous and most represented English-speaking countries as of January 2026. Certificates issued to individuals registered under a different country are excluded; this notably omits many Korean masters living in these countries.

Country	1° Poom	2° Poom	3° Poom	4° Poom	1° Dan	2° Dan	3° Dan	4° Dan	5° Dan	6° Dan	7° Dan	8° Dan	9° Dan
Australia	18,236	3,718	719	114	12,379	5,044	2,568	1,189	567	234	152	48	14
Canada	29,970	6,182	1,025	245	20,733	7,686	3,647	1,591	771	236	146	41	13
United Kingdom	6,399	1,490	203	40	6,754	2,859	1,444	665	326	130	45	16	3
United States	256,844	47,163	8,057	1,965	117,340	43,552	23,377	9,820	4,173	1,716	1,116	331	129

Honorary and Posthumous Dan Ranks

The Kukkiwon may award honorary Dan ranks, up to 10th Dan, to individuals who have made significant contributions to Taekwondo, including those who are not practitioners. The 10th Dan exists solely as an honorary title and does not require an examination. The first award of this type was presented on 18 September 1986 to Juan Antonio Samaranch, then President of the International Olympic Committee. Since then, numerous international figures have received this title, including Pope Francis in May 2017. Posthumous 10th Dan awards have also been given to individuals who significantly contributed to the development and spread of Taekwondo, such as Woon Kyu Uhm, the second Kukkiwon president, and Chong Woo Lee, former president of World Taekwondo.
Recipients of honorary 9th Dan include several U.S. presidents, such as Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. Similar awards have been granted to heads of state from the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Peru, Turkey, and Nepal.

Events

World Taekwondo Hanmadang

The World Taekwondo Hanmadang is one of the largest international Taekwondo competitions, bringing together thousands of practitioners from over 50 countries each year. The event hosts more than 5,000 participants who compete in various disciplines, including Poomsae, breaking techniques, and self-defense. It does not include sparring, as this discipline is already featured in the olympic program and governed by World Taekwondo. The festival was established on 9 December 1992 by the Korea Taekwondo Association with the slogan “Unifying the World through Taekwondo.” Since 1999, the event has been jointly organized by the Kukkiwon and the KTA, and since 2000 it has been held regularly at the Kukkiwon headquarters.
The World Taekwondo Hanmadang is distinguished from other official competitions because it allows participation for anyone holding a Kukkiwon-issued Dan or Poom certificate, without additional competitive requirements. Beyond the sporting aspect, the event promotes the spread of Taekwondo culture and Korean heritage, emphasizing spiritual values and the shared cultural identity among practitioners worldwide.
Source:

No Year Period Place
1 1992 9th Dec.~11th Dec. The 2nd Olympic Gym
2 1993 9th Dec.~11th Dec. KBS 88 Gym
3 1994 26th Nov.~28th Nov. Jamsil Students Gym
4 1995 26th~28th Aug. KBS 88 Gym
5 1996 29th Nov.~1st Dec. KBS 88 Gym
6 1997 27th~30th Nov. Jamsil Students Gym
7 1998 31 Jul~2nd Aug. The 2nd Olympic Gym
8 1999 16th Dec. Kukkiwon
9 2000 13th~15th Dec. Kukkiwon
10 2001 13th~15th Nov. Kukkiwon
11 2003 26th~29th Nov. Kukkiwon
12 2004 4th~7th Nov. Kukkiwon
13 2005 1st~4th Nov. Kukkiwon
14 2006 1st~4th Nov. Muju County, Jellabukdo
15 2007 1st~4th Nov. Suwon, Gyeonggi
16 2008 16th~20th Jul. Anaheim, U.S.A
17 2009 12th~15th Aug. Dangjin ChoonNam
18 2010 8th~11th Dec. kukkiwon
19 2011 10th~13th Dec. Namyangju City, Physical Education Culture Center
20 2012 28th~31st Aug. kukkiwon
21 2013 28th~31st Aug. Daejeon Chung-Moo Sports Hall
22 2014 28th~31st Aug. Pohang Gymnagium
23 2015 30th Jul ~ 2nd Aug. Pyeong Taek Ichung Cultural
24 2016 3rd ~ 6th Aug. KUKKIWON
25 2017 29 July ~ 1st Aug AnYang Gymnasium
26 2018 28 July ~ 31 July Halla Gymnasium
27 2019 26 July ~ 30 July YongPyong-Dome
2020, 2021 and 2022 Not Held.
28 2023 Seongnam World Taekwondo Hanmadang Contest Outline 2023.05.21 15:26
29 2024 Mungyeong World Taekwondo Hanmadang Contest outline 2024.04.29 16:56
30 2025 Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Hanmadang Thursday, July 17 to Saturday, July 19