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An international exchange event marking the 80th anniversary of taekwondo's global spread will bring young people and taekwondo practitioners from around the world to Korea to experience the sport's history and culture.

The World Taekwondo Changmookwan (Grand Master Kim Jung-young) announced on the 31st that it will hold the "2026 Global Youth Taekwondo Project – Taekwondo Road: The Origin" from July 28 to August 6. An online program for overseas participants unable to attend in person will follow from September 5 to 6.

The project marks the 80th anniversary of Changmookwan, one of taekwondo's founding schools, which began instruction at the Jongno YMCA in Seoul in 1946.

About 1,500 taekwondo practitioners from 36 countries are expected to take part in the event.

Participants will learn about Changmookwan's history and the development of taekwondo at Muju Taekwondowon in North Jeolla Province, and complete Kukkiwon-certified poomsae and self-defense seminars. They will then travel to Seoul to take part in Changmookwan's 80th anniversary events and Korean culture experience programs.

According to the detailed schedule, participants will arrive on July 28 through Incheon International Airport and travel to Muju Taekwondowon. From the 29th to the 30th, sessions on Changmookwan's history and poomsae/self-defense seminars will be held, followed by a completion ceremony on the 31st and an 80th anniversary commemorative dinner at the Samjung Hotel in Seoul.

On August 1, the Changmookwan 80th anniversary competition will be held at the indoor gymnasium of Eunkwang Girls' High School in Seoul. From the 2nd to the 5th, a Korean culture experience program will follow, including visits to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun, COEX, and the National Museum of Korea. Participants are scheduled to return home on August 6.

For overseas youth unable to attend the in-person events, an online competition will be held from September 5 to 6. Organizers expect more than 1,000 participants in the online program.

The entire project will be produced as a special documentary by TV Chosun and will also be released through short-form videos, social media, and participant-generated content (UGC).

Kim Dae-hyun, chairman of the Changmookwan 80th Anniversary Commemorative Project Organizing Committee, said, "We prepared this program so that young people around the world can learn about taekwondo's history and traditions and experience Korean culture firsthand," adding, "We hope this becomes an opportunity to expand exchange among participants through taekwondo and to share the significance of Changmookwan's 80 years together."

                                                                                                             Jang An-na