World Taekwondo reduces its Council: the change that Dr. Choue himself promoted

Claudio Antonio Aranda
CEO & Founder of MASTKD
WT Black Belt (6th Dan)
[email protected]

In Wuxi, China, Chungwon Choue’s re-election as president of World Taekwondo (WT) made headlines, with 143 out of 149 votes confirming him for a final term until 2029. But the real twist in the narrative occurred in the shadows of that victory: the implementation of a reform that reduces the WT Council from 37 to 25 members, an adjustment designed to dilute the concentration of power and foster more balanced governance in Olympic Taekwondo.

For two decades, WT president could appoint up to ten Council members, a mechanism that, while practical, encouraged networks of political influence. The reforms, approved by the Extraordinary General Assembly in Chuncheon, Korea, in September 2024, and implemented in the October 2025 elections in Wuxi, cut those appointments to just two, prioritizing democratic elections and continental representation. In a sport where continental alliances often define the course, this change is no small matter: it aligns WT with International Olympic Committee standards, emphasizing transparency, gender balance, and limits on the perpetuation of power.

What is remarkable is that Dr. Choue, a leader with roots in diplomacy and academia, pushed for these actions that erode his own authority. In a sporting world where executives often cling to their prerogatives, Choue chose institutionality over personal control. “WT doesn’t just call for transparency, it applies it,” one might say, paraphrasing the ethos of the federation under his command.

Dr Chungwon Choue re-elected as World Taekwondo President

Choue and a transition that strengthens the institution

In what is shaping up to be his final chapter at the helm of WT, Choue will govern under rules he helped forge. This is not a symbolic gesture: the new structure leaves the organization more resilient, less susceptible to unilateral domination, and better prepared to navigate toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This reform embodies a vision of collective governance, where decisions emerge from inclusive debates rather than decrees from Seoul.

To dispel any confusion about the composition—some observers highlight only the 14 directly elected members, but the official total is 25, including executive and representative positions—it is worth detailing the new post-election Council in Wuxi. This clarity underlines the depth of the reform:

Composition of the World Taekwondo Council (2025-2029)

The Council has a total of 25 members, with an emphasis on diversity: at least one woman per continent, age limits (under 70 for new positions), and a maximum of three terms per role. Of these, 18 are elected by the General Assembly, four are appointed by the President, and three are selected by other mechanisms. Here is the breakdown:

1. President (1, elected).
2. Vice Presidents (5): Three elected, one elevated by the highest female vote among those elected, and one pending presidential appointment.
3. Secretary General (1, appointed).
4. Treasurer (1, appointed).
5. Regular Members (17): Thirteen elected by continent and global vote, one appointed by the President; two co-chairs of the Athletes’ Committee and one ex-officio member from Kukkiwon.

This configuration not only reduces the size, but also redistributes power: appointed positions are limited to roles of expertise, while the majority are elected democratically, with oversight by an independent Electoral Committee.

The mirror now looking at the continental unions

This model raises an unavoidable question for the continental unions: will they follow the example? The Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU), European Taekwondo Union (ETU), African Taekwondo Union (ATU), Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU), and Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU) still operate with large councils, discretionary appointments, and presidencies with broad powers. If WT proves successful with its reform, pressure for the continentals to revise their statutes could intensify, promoting consistency across the taekwondo ecosystem.

From politics to governance

Ultimately, World Taekwondo is sending a message to the Olympic movement: true institutional strength comes from relinquishing personal power. The challenge no longer lies solely in Seoul or Lausanne, but on every continent that must decide whether to embrace this model or cling to outdated structures.

Change has begun. And, in a rare twist, it came from the top.

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