History
Tae Kwon Do (태권도)
Over 1350 years ago, Korea was divided into three kingdoms: Silla, Koguryo and Paekche. Silla, the smallest of these kingdoms was constantly under invasion and harassment by it's two more powerful Northern and Western neighbors. King Chin Hung, in his thirty-seventh year of rein, called up the strong and patriotic youth and formed a military organization under General Kim Yu-Sin, called Hwa - Rang Do.
This elite group, in addition to the ordinary training in spear, bow, sword and hook, also were trained in the practice of mental and physical discipline, and various forms of hand and foot fighting known then as T'ae - Kyon. To harden their bodies, they climbed rugged mountains, swam the turbulent rivers in the coldest months, and drove themselves unmercifully to prepare for the task of defending their homeland.
To guide themselves and give purpose to their knighthood, they were required to observe the following five - point code of conduct:
Allegiance to the King
Faithfulness to your parents
faithfulness to your friends
no killing of animals
no retreating from the battlefield
These young warriors, many as young as fourteen years old, became known and respected around the land for their courage and skill in battle. they attained feats of valor and which in turn led Silla to rise and unite. As a result, the Korean peninsula was united for the first time in its history in the year 668 AD.