* 9 November 1918 — † 15 June 2002
International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) is an international taekwondo organization founded on April 11 1955, by General Choi Hong Hi (Korean: 최홍희, Chinese:崔泓熙) in Seoul, South Korea. The ITF was founded to promote and encourage the growth of the Korean martial art of Taekwon-Do.
At that time, nine countries were involved: Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, USA, Turkey, Italy, and Egypt. Taekwon-Do is now taught in almost every country in the world, and General Choi is recognized as the Father of Taekwon-Do.
The ITF’s main functions include coordinating and approving tournaments and seminars, setting standards for teaching (patterns, sparring, destruction), collaborating with affiliated member organizations, and providing services members in regard to rank and certifications.
Gen. Choi Hong Hi who created Taekwon‑Do and founded the ITF as its first President, dedicated his all to Taekwon‑Do till last moment of his life, passed away to our great sorrow from his gastric cancer in Pyongyang, DPR of Korea on 15th June 2002.