Taekwondo for Peace: A Lecture That Reimagines Martial Arts as a Bridge Between Nations

On June 27, 2025, the 7th Peace Lecture hosted by the Seoul-Gyeonggi Southern Peace Action Committee and the “Donghaeng Campaign” was successfully held in Seongnam, South Korea. Under the theme “Donghaeng Campaign: Bridging the Korean People,” this civic-led event reaffirmed the importance of cultural exchange and peaceful coexistence amid Korea’s division.

A Peace Lecture Rooted in Martial Arts

The highlight of the event was a keynote speech by Jeong Soon-cheon, Vice Chair of Public Relations at the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) and Senior Deputy Director of the Joint North-South UNESCO Registration Committee for Taekwondo. His lecture, titled “Taekwondo: A Journey Toward Peace,” challenged common views of martial arts and reframed Taekwondo as a cultural heritage rooted in peace.

“The character ‘Mu (武)’ in martial arts means to stop conflict,” Jeong explained. “Taekwondo was not created for fighting, but to protect peace. This universal value must be shared with the world.”

A Shared Heritage Between North and South

Jeong offered a compelling historical perspective, noting that:

• Taekwondo was officially named in 1955 in South Korea.

• The ITF was founded in 1966 in Seoul, marking Korea’s first international sports federation.

• Later, the ITF’s founder, General Choi Hong-hi, introduced Taekwondo to North Korea, leading to its structured development there.

Despite diverging systems — ITF’s martial arts focus in the North and WT’s sports-centered evolution in the South — both Koreas share the same Taekwondo roots. Jeong emphasized that this shared heritage could become a powerful cultural touchpoint for inter-Korean dialogue.

Recently, North Korea applied for UNESCO recognition of Taekwondo as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Jeong expressed hope that a joint registration by North and South could be achieved if approached with mutual respect and focus on Taekwondo’s peace-centered philosophy.

Voices of Support and Real Reflection

Following the lecture, participants expressed deep appreciation. Retired military Taekwondo instructor Chae Dae-seok praised Jeong’s depth of knowledge and added:

“Regardless of politics or religion, Taekwondo can help restore a sense of unity through our shared values.”

Hong Ran-hee, G01 Director at HWPL and one of the event’s organizers, reflected:

“I used to think North and South Korean Taekwondo were too different. But now I see they’re simply different in expression — martial arts versus sport. The root is the same.”

 

A Series of Peace Lectures in Motion

Since 2023, the Donghaeng Campaign has hosted lectures across various fields including culture, religion, public safety, and technology — all focused on the role of citizens in advancing peace. Previous speakers include traditional martial arts leaders, AI researchers, and interfaith leaders, each contributing a unique perspective to the peace movement.

Citizens Leading the Way to Peace

The Seoul-Gyeonggi Southern Peace Action Committee continues its mission to cultivate trust, respect, participation, and cooperation in local communities. Through civic exchange and education, it promotes peaceful conflict resolution and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, the Donghaeng Campaign reminds Koreans and the world that peaceful reunification is not just a political issue, but a humanitarian and moral one.

By spotlighting Taekwondo as a symbol of peace, this lecture rekindled hope that shared culture can once again connect a divided nation.

Source: https://vo.la/LNtaGav