Taekwon-Do is a Korean Martial Art that originated in Korea and was designed by a Korean Army General, Choi Hong Hi. It was strongly influenced by Korean culture, way of thinking, and Korean history. General Choi’s immense efforts to build and spread his Art across the globe resulted in millions of practitioners around the world striving to learn and better understand the roots of the Art of which they love.
Many Taekwon-Do organizations and individuals have a strong desire to link with the homeland of Taekwon-Do since this represents their roots, has many historic and meaningful locations that are the foundations of the Art. Moreover, visiting Korea, learning about the culture, daily living, customs, specific food, and travel gives the practitioner a better understanding of the Art itself.
The link with Taekwon-Do’s roots and legacy can provide its practitioners with an automatic sense of unity and belonging. It gives a sense of identity and continuity in a fast-changing world for future generations. It seems as though with a splintered Taekwon-Do, the changes introduced to the Art by various groups work against unity, dividing the Art further to the point of becoming different, and even contradictory from the Founders Foundation.
The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) HQ is the only officially registered Taekwon-Do organization in South Korea and strives to protect the legacy of the Art. They open their doors to all Taekwon-Do practitioners who wish to visit the Homeland of Taekwon-Do and discover, enjoy, and consequently better understand Taekwon-Do in its home.
One of the programs that ITF HQ has been offering for many years is the Tul Tour program. Over the years, the program has attracted around 3,000 participants from various countries, walks of life and organizations. The program provides the opportunity for any participant to meet, visit the spiritually enhanced locations where Taekwon-Do originated, discuss the differences and similarities in a civilized way without hatred, and to propose solutions for the future. These programs have been highly enjoyable, and some groups have already booked their third or fourth visit to Korea.
The current Tul Tour has operated since 2012 and is a nationwide tour and training program that involves practicing 24 different ITF training patterns (Tul). It is valued since it enhances the nation’s position as to where Taekwon-Do originated, by providing opportunities to experience the historical background and culture of Taekwon-Do for international Taekwon-Do practitioners.
As a result, the Tul Tour won the grand prize for a creative tour from the Korean Tourism Organization in 2012. Tul tour has had more than 1,500 participants, including ITF Masters, Instructors, and practitioners. 19 out of 24 Tuls are practiced in various South Korean locations, including the ITF Headquarters, at the Center of Excellence in Sejong City.
The ITF is preparing a complete form of Tul Tour that can cover all of the 24 Tuls by visiting both South and North Korea by collaborating with a travel agent in Sweden that specializes in trips to North Korea. When this program is completed, all the Taekwon-Do practitioners around the world can visit both North and South Korea in one Tour. This program will be the first tour program that will visit both North and South Korea since the two Koreas were divided. Therefore the program may be an opportunity to send peaceful messages to the world through Taekwon-Do.
One staff from ITF has claimed that “The potential scale of ITF members participating in the Tul Tour is enormous, the discussion for a corporation with local government is already finished.”
[Source: Tul Tour Official Facebook Page]
More info about Tul Tour
Tul Tour Official Facebook Page
International Taekwon-Do Federation Official Site
[Tul Tour Interview with Ms. Alexandra Kan]
