Growing Up in Turbulent Times
The General was of what some might say is now a dieing breed, forged into an even greater man by overcoming hardship and
adversity since a very young age. The Father of Taekwon-do was born on November 9th, 1918 in Hwa Dae, Myong Chun District
in what is now known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It is noted that “In his youth, he was frail and quite
sickly, a constant source of worry for his parents”.
General Choi grew up in a time of waring nations and rapid change in Asia and in the rest of the world for that matter.
This would affect his life immensely as he is and was well known now for standing up for what he believed in, this caused him to get involved in interesting notable situations.
Even at the tender age of 12, General Choi was expelled from his school “for agitating against the Japanese authorities who were in control of Korea”.
The strong views of General Choi drew him towards an association with the Kwang Ju Student's Independence Movement.
The expulsion of General Choi from school was what was the beginning of a Martial Arts journey. The General's father sent him to
a well known and respected calligraphy teacher Mr. Han II Dong. Han (he was one of the most famous teachers in Korea). Mr. Han II Dong. Han
was also a master of Taek Kyon. Taek Kyon was an Korean martial art of “foot fighting”. Mr. Han II Dong. Han started to teach General Choi, Taek
Kyon was employed to help build up the Young General's then frail body.
In 1937 General Choi was shipped off to Japan to study, this is where he came in contact with another Martial Art, the ancient Japanese art of Karate.
Funnily enough it was another Korean that taught General Choi Karate in Japan - Mr. Him, within two years of rigorous training General Choi was a first
degree Black Belt.
As General Choi studied through from High School to University he kept on studying the Martial Art of Karate until he obtained the rank of second Degree.
When he obtained his second Degree Black Belt, the General started to teach others Karate in Tokyo, Japan.
