Poomsae once again caught up in international rule confusion

Taekwondo Poomsae has once again been exposed to a problem that not only repeats itself but worsens with each passing month: the lack of clarity, uniformity, and documentary support in the application of its international rules, even in official competitions endorsed by World Taekwondo (WT).

The situation arose from rule interpretations announced for the 2026 German Open, particularly related to the number, type, and sequence of acrobatic techniques allowed in Freestyle Poomsae. Given the confusion generated, direct communication was established with Jun Yoon, WT Poomsae Referee Committee Chairman, with the aim of getting formal and verifiable clarifications.

Jun Yoon, WT Poomsae Referee Committee Chairman

During the exchange, it was stated that certain changes would be in effect after the 2024 World Championships. However, when an official document published by the WT—updated regulations, circular, resolution, or guideline—was requested to support these statements, no public regulatory support was provided. Added to this were contradictions with versions expressed by other international technical experts, including Jung Heon Kim, director of the WT Poomsae Committee, who was consulted independently.

In a subsequent statement, Jun Yoon claimed that these updates had been published on a page exclusively for international referees.

This point is particularly sensitive. Even in the hypothetical case that the information had been shared only with referees, or with a few coaches and MNA representatives gather in a workshop meeting only, the procedure creates a clear information imbalance. Athletes and coaches from all over the world would be at a disadvantage in the face of unofficially published rules, without access to formal documents or open institutional channels. In this context, each Organizing Committee (OC) could interpret rules that are not clearly defined or officially published in different ways, affecting competitive fairness.

MASTKD responded with a clear warning: such practices make Poomsae look unprofessional, giving the impression that the rules can change at any time and depending on the event, without a stable and public regulatory framework.

The contrast with Kyorugi is once again inevitable. In sparring, the process is clear and structured: the technical committee proposes changes, the WT Executive Council analyses and amends them, the General Assembly approves or rejects them, and finally WT officially and globally communicates the modifications through its institutional channels. This is the path that guarantees predictability, fairness and credibility.

In Poomsae, on the other hand, it is accepted that the committee can introduce “minor changes” that would then be incorporated into future scoring guidelines that have not yet been published and are subject to further approval. In practice, these so-called minor adjustments have a direct and profound impact on competitive preparation, execution, and evaluation, becoming substantial changes without the necessary institutional backing.

This scenario raises an even greater concern: the aspiration for Poomsae to enter the Olympic program. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) demands strong governance, transparent processes, stable rules, and clear communication. Informal regulations, fragmented communication, and the absence of public documentation are exactly the factors that the IOC seeks to avoid.

At MASTKD, the goal remains to clarify, not confront. The growth of international Poomsae cannot be sustained on internal interpretations, restricted publications, or rules known only to a few. Sports fairness and institutional credibility demand formal processes, official documentation, and transparent global communication. Without that, any Olympic ambition risks being seriously compromised.

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