VIDEO: Interview with Mrs. Choi: General Choi’s Final Days and the ITF Leadership Controversy
Mrs. Choi, widow of General Choi Hong Hi (Founder of Taekwon-Do), rejected a text circulated as “General Choi Hong-Hi’s Final Words” by a North Korea–based ITF group. In her testimony, she said the Founder had been unable to speak in his final days and that the narrative describing an alleged meeting shortly before his death did not match what happened, according to her account. The video interview is now available on MASTAEKWONDO TV’s YouTube channel.
Mrs. Choi, widow of General Choi Hong Hi (Founder of Taekwon-Do), rejected a text circulated as “General Choi Hong-Hi’s Final Words” by a North Korea–based ITF group. In her testimony, she said the Founder had been unable to speak in his final days and that the narrative describing an alleged meeting shortly before his death did not match what happened, according to her account. The video interview is now available on MASTAEKWONDO TV’s YouTube channel.
What circulated—and why Mrs. Choi challenged it
The text Mrs. Choi challenged was presented as a “script” titled “General Choi Hong-Hi’s Final Words” and claimed that on June 11, 2002—four days before his death—the General gathered North Korean ITF officials and spoke while “in perfect health and free of drugs.”
The written piece argued that the level of detail about his “mental clarity” was intended to strengthen credibility, and interpreted it as a sign of a constructed narrative.
“The truth according to Mrs. Choi”: her account of the final days
In statements attributed to Mrs. Choi, the Founder’s widow flatly denied the North Korean version and said the General had been in a coma for at least 20 days before he died, that he had been unable to speak, and that external visits had been strictly blocked during the final week—making, in her view, any lengthy statement about succession impossible.
Within that context, the text claimed the narrative was intended to place Chang Ung in a position of authority.
Madame Choi Refutes False Claims by North Korean ITF Group President Ri Yong Sun
Legacy, legitimacy, and the focus on “lineage”
That same written piece argued that leadership legitimacy should rest on family lineage and stated that the Founder’s legacy belonged to his family—and specifically to his only son, Choi Jung Hwa.
It also included Mrs. Choi’s criticism of attempts to modify the “Tong-Il Tul” (Unification pattern), quoting her anger as she argued that the Founder’s final dream was being distorted for political purposes.
Full video interview
MASTKD invites the international community to watch the full video interview with Mrs. Choi, where she expanded on her testimony regarding the Founder’s final days and the background of the ITF controversy.
Editorial note
This content is presented as Mrs. Choi’s statements and position (as an opinion/testimony piece). MASTKD remains open to the right of reply, so any mentioned party may share their perspective and provide any documentation they consider relevant.
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