Taekwon-Do and It's Imitators
Today, the enormous popularity of Taekwon-Do has created
imitators, and whilst at times imitation is the sincerest form of
flattery, in the case of Taekwon-Do this is definitely not true.
To imitate without full knowledge of the original is dangerous.
It is somewhat akin to allowing a child to play with a toy gun
then giving him a real gun and expecting the child to understand
the difference, without giving him the knowledge of the function
and effect of a real gun. In most Instances of imitation, the
imitator simply mimics the original without any change. Usually,
this does not cause any harm provided the one who imitates does
not change the original (in this case TaekwonDo), by unproven
additional techniques, interpretations, philosophy, terminology,
or systems and methods. It is when unauthorized changes to the
original act of Taekwon-Do take place that these imitators create
a highly dangerous and eroding influence upon the concept of
Taekwon-Do. Dangerous, because a student may become a teacher and
all unknowingly impart his false techniques to others, thus
compounding the error of false knowledge. This will lead to an
erosion of confidence by serious students in Taekwon-Do as a
proven martial art.
Confusion has recently arisen by the use of the terminology
"TAEKWON-DO, THE KOREAN ART OF SELF- DEFENSE."
The word Korean is emphasized. Why? Nowadays in Korea, it is
becoming the practice to indiscriminately apply the word
"TAEKWON-DO" to a bastardized imitation of the real
original Korean martial art. General CHOI, Hong Hi created,
developed, and introduced the art of Taekwon-Do in 1946, in what
is now known as the Republic of Korea. It is true that General
Choi was born in Korea and at the time of developing and
introducing Taekwon-Do he resided there. It is also true that the
basis of Taekwon-Do goes back to the ancient past of Korea but to
call Taekwon-Do purely Korean is somewhat like one country
claiming to have introduced fire. The true Taekwon-Do of General
Choi knows no boundaries of countries, it is a universal art of
self-defense. It is also an art for which the founder has devoted
his life not only to retain the purity of the original Taekwon-Do
introduced to him in 1946, but to constantly search for ways of
improving the original techniques. Only after exhaustive research
and proof of improvement and effectiveness is a change to the
original approved and incorporated within the overall art of
Taekwon-Do. Taekwon-Do should be kept free from unproved
imitations, and all true Taekwon-Do students weed out those who
seek to destroy and confuse the original Taekwon-Do.