Kukkiwon’s World Taekwondo Academy (WTA) brought together 124 Taekwondo instructors from 32 countries for an International Taekwondo Master Course held from September 25 to 28 at the German Sport University Cologne in Germany.

Directly planned and operated by WTA, the course provided participants with Kukkiwon’s standardized curriculum while expanding access to training for instructors who face geographical barriers to attending programs in Korea.

The Cologne event formed part of Kukkiwon’s efforts to extend its instructor education system overseas, connecting technical instruction with the educational responsibilities of teaching Taekwondo.

Teaching beyond technique

The program combined theoretical and practical sessions, addressing both what instructors teach and how they guide their students.

WTA Professor Choi Jung-gu led the theoretical component, covering Taekwondo history, Taekwondo spirit, character education and grading theory. These sessions focused on the qualities and teaching philosophy expected of a Taekwondo master.

Practical instruction was delivered by WTA Professor Kwon Hyung-nam, who led the Poomsae sessions, and Master Lee Dong-eon, Kukkiwon’s overseas-dispatched master in Germany, who taught Kyorugi.

According to Kukkiwon, the practical component was designed to help participants systematically acquire appropriate teaching methods. The combination placed technical development alongside the broader task of delivering structured Taekwondo education.

Two generations learning together

Among the participants were Masters Kim Hong-young and Kim Sae-rom, a father and daughter who run a Taekwondo school in Germany.

Their participation illustrated how continuing education can connect different generations of instructors within the same school.

“I have taught Taekwondo in Germany for a long time, but it was meaningful to take part in a course directly organized by Kukkiwon in Europe,” Kim Hong-young said.

He described completing the program with his daughter as a special opportunity to reflect on his role as an instructor.

Kim Sae-rom also highlighted the experience of learning alongside her father and said she wanted to share what she had learned with her local students as soon as possible.

Expanding access to Kukkiwon education

Holding the course in Europe addressed a practical challenge for overseas instructors: accessing Kukkiwon training without having to travel to Korea.

The program was intended to broaden opportunities to pursue the international Taekwondo master qualification. Kukkiwon’s announcement reported participation figures but did not specify how many attendees obtained the qualification.

WTA Vice President Ahn Jae-yun said the course enabled direct communication with instructors from Europe and other parts of the world.

“We will continue to strive to provide more training opportunities for Taekwondo instructors overseas,” he said.

Kukkiwon stated that it plans to expand both the number and locations of its overseas training programs, further strengthening its Taekwondo education system.

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