Human beings have always engaged in some form of physical activity. Physical combat has been necessary for the preservation of the species, and methods of self-defence arose and developed naturally as part of man's need to protect himself from unpredictable threats and natural disasters.

From earliest times, in the most primitive human societies, and even before the development and use of tools and weapons, humans protected themselves using their bodies. As society developed, and especially as man fought against man for conquest or self-preservation, a form of combat using the hands and feet gradually developed and became more specialized and organized.

On what is now known as the Korean Peninsula, Soo-Bak, a form of hand and foot fighting, became established during the Three Kingdoms Period (from the 1st Century BC to the 7th Century AD).Since that time, Soo-Bag became organized as a discipline and gained popularity among common people. In the Kingdom of Silla, Soo-Bok established itself as an important exercise for the Hwa-Rang Do, warriors of the aristocratic class, and incorporated elements of physical and mental discipline. During the dynasty of Chosun, Soo-Bok became a part of the basic self-defence training of warriors because of its popularity.

The modern discipline of Chun Kuhn Do is based on the traditional martial art developed in the Silla and Koguryo Dynasties. The development of martial arts in Korea was inhibited by the Japanese occupation, which began in 1910, but after Korean independence was achieved in 1948, the popularity of such distinctive Korean martial arts as Taekwondo enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. The name Taekwondo became the official title of the Korean martial art in 1955. Chun Kuhn Do, a modern adaptation of Taekwondo, is founded on the principles of harmony of mind and body, and incorporating contemporary scientific knowledge, is a martial art of the 21st century.