WTPF Changes Name to World Taekwondo Poomsae Federation, Launches Second Phase of Global Expansion
- Terminology aligned with official competition and education standards as WTPF moves to establish overseas chapters and organize international tournaments -
- Federation replaces “Poomse” with “Poomsae,” reflecting terminology used by Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo and the Korea Taekwondo Association -
- Plans include global chapters, educational publications, instructor and referee training, evaluation programs, and the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships -
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By Reporter Kim Jun-Ri
SEOUL, South Korea — The World Taekwondo Poomse Federation, headed by President Kim Jeong-Rok, has officially changed its name to the World Taekwondo Poomsae Federation (WTPF), reflecting the terminology widely used in official Taekwondo competitions and educational settings.
The federation announced that the name change took effect on July 17, 2026. Its official English name has also been changed to “The World Taekwondo Poomsae Federation.”
WTPF said the decision was made in consideration of the standardized use of the term “Poomsae” by major Taekwondo organizations, including Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo (WT) and the Korea Taekwondo Association.
The federation plans to use the name change as a turning point for a second phase of global development by establishing national chapters and associations, expanding international cooperation, publishing educational materials, training qualified officials and organizing international Poomsae competitions.
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“Poomse” and “Poomsae”: Terms with Different Linguistic Origins
The Korean term “Poomse(品勢)" is derived from two Chinese characters: poom(品), referring to dignity or character, and se(勢), meaning force, vigor or momentum.
By contrast, “Poomsae” is generally explained as a native Korean compound formed from poom, referring to one’s conduct or character, and sae, meaning form, shape or appearance.
According to the federation, the two terms have long been used with their respective origins and meanings. Both were recognized as standard Korean expressions following a review by the National Institute of Korean Language in 2011.
Within the Taekwondo community, however, “Poomsae” has become the predominant term in competitions, education and promotion examinations since Kukkiwon officially adopted it in 1987 as part of an effort to refine and promote Korean terminology.
It has since been widely used by Kukkiwon, the Korea Taekwondo Association and other leading Taekwondo institutions.
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“Poomse” Used for Decades in President Kim Jeong-Rok’s Publications
Supreme Grand Master President Kim Jeong-Rok has historically used the term “Poomse” throughout his publications.
After more than four years of writing and research beginning in the early 1980s, Kim published the Comprehensive Taekwondo Encyclopedia in 1985. The publication was followed by a series of Korean-English Taekwondo manuals in 1986:
Korean-English Taekwondo Manual I: Taegeuk Poomse
Korean-English Taekwondo Manual II: Palgwae Poomse
Korean-English Taekwondo Manual III: Black Belt Poomse
Supreme Grand Master President Kim Jeong-Rok also used the term in his 1992 publication, Korean-English Taekwondo Textbook.
Based on this historical tradition, the organization retained the name World Taekwondo Poomse Federation until July 2026.
The federation said it ultimately decided to adopt “Poomsae” to ensure consistency with internationally accepted Taekwondo terminology and to facilitate clearer communication throughout the global Taekwondo community.
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“A Change for Taekwondo’s Next 100 Years”
Supreme Grand Master President Kim Jeong-Rok explained that the change reflects the terminology currently used in official competitions and education programs around the world.
“We considered the reality that Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo, the Korea Taekwondo Association and other major Taekwondo organizations consistently use the term ‘Poomsae’ in their official competitions and educational programs,” Kim said.
“We changed the name from the World Taekwondo Poomse Federation to the World Taekwondo Poomsae Federation to prepare for the next 100 years of Taekwondo and achieve a second major leap forward for the federation.”
WTPF will also introduce a newly designed official logo reflecting the name change.
According to the federation, the new emblem will embody its identity, future vision and commitment to the international development and global expansion of Taekwondo Poomsae.
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Establishing Chapters and Associations Worldwide
The World Taekwondo Poomsae Federation plans to establish chapters and affiliated associations in countries around the world, expand its international organizational network and develop cooperative systems for Poomsae education and exchange.
The federation will also reorganize its membership system and develop expanded Poomsae training and promotion programs for implementation at Taekwondo dojangs, clubs, schools, institutions and sports centers.
Kukkiwon’s current promotion and training system primarily covers the eight Taegeuk Poomsae for color-belt practitioners—Taegeuk 1 Jang through Taegeuk 8 Jang—and the nine recognized black-belt Poomsae: Koryo, Keumgang, Taebaek, Pyongwon, Sipjin, Jitae, Cheonkwon, Hansu and Ilyeo.
WTPF plans to broaden the scope of education by researching and incorporating traditional forms practiced since the mid-1940s, including basic forms, the Pyong-An series and the eight Palgwae Poomsae.
The federation will also develop newly structured Poomsae programs led by President Kim Jeong-Rok, including technical variations and kicking combinations for the Taegeuk, junior black-belt and senior black-belt Poomsae.
According to WTPF, these programs are intended to support the revitalization of local Taekwondo schools while contributing to the continued technical advancement of the martial art.
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Education and Research Based on Lifelong Martial Arts Experience
Supreme Grand Master President Kim Jeong-Rok founded the World Taekwondo Research Institute (WTRI), described by the federation as the world’s first research institute established specifically for the comprehensive study of Taekwondo.
Throughout his career as a martial arts researcher, Kim has studied Taekwondo and various martial arts systems from around the world. His publications and research cover Taekwondo, Hapkido, Kendo, Chinese martial arts, Karate, other global martial arts disciplines, and health-related subjects.
Supreme Grand Master President Kim Jeong-Rok holds professional and recreational sports instructor qualifications in Taekwondo, Kendo and Wushu. He has conducted specialized training for instructors and athletes from different countries and delivered lectures and educational programs for associations, institutions, organizations and corporations.
His programs have included:
• Taekwondo Poomsae instruction
• Poomsae referee education
• Coaching education
• Kukkiwon high-dan promotion preparation for sixth- through ninth-dan candidates
• Poomsae competition rules seminars
• Specialized martial arts training
Since 2009, Supreme Grand Master President Kim Jeong-Rok has also provided martial arts training to officers of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
The World Taekwondo Poomsae Federation plans to organize education and certification programs for instructors, referees, coaches, examination evaluators and competition rules officials.
WTPF said these programs will strengthen professionalism, consistency and fairness in Poomsae education, examinations and tournament operations.
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International Competitions, Including World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships
The federation plans to organize the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and other international Poomsae competitions.
These events will provide athletes from different countries and regions with opportunities to compete internationally, improve their technical abilities and participate in global exchanges.
Supreme Grand Master President Kim Jeong-Rok said the federation will concentrate its capabilities on globalizing the various specialized organizations under the World ROK Taekwondo Federation (WROKTF).
“We will devote our efforts to the globalization of the World Taekwondo Poomsae Federation and the other specialized federations under the World ROK Taekwondo Federation, including those responsible for Kyorugi, Taekwonrobics, self-defense, breaking, demonstration performance, police martial arts and military special martial arts,” Kim said.
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Moving Beyond Oral Instruction Toward Textbook-Based Education
WTPF is also preparing professional Taekwondo publications to establish a more systematic educational environment.
The initiative aims to move beyond an instruction system that relies primarily on physical demonstrations and verbal explanations.
Instead, the federation seeks to create an educational model in which Taekwondo theory and practical skills can be taught together using structured textbooks, similar to instructional systems used in music, fine arts and other educational fields.
“I am writing Taekwondo textbooks so that dojangs, clubs, schools, institutions and sports centers can provide systematic education in both Taekwondo theory and practical skills,” Kim said.
“Once the manuscripts are completed, we will begin full-scale publication preparations, including professional photography of the techniques and movements.”
Through its name change, the World Taekwondo Poomsae Federation intends to preserve the traditional value of Taekwondo Poomsae while establishing educational, examination and competition systems that can be shared across the international community.
The federation said its long-term objective is to strengthen cooperation among nations, expand opportunities for Poomsae practitioners and establish a sustainable global foundation for the next generation of Taekwondo.
〈Copyright ⓒ Photo provided by The Republic of Korea Culture News TV Broadcast – ROKCTV Since 2009. Screenshot captured from the website. No resale or database use. Use for AI training is prohibited.〉
〈Copyright ⓒ Photo provided by The Republic of Korea Culture News TV Broadcast – ROKCTV Since 2009. Screenshot captured from the website. No resale or database use. Use for AI training is prohibited.〉
〈Copyright ⓒ Photo provided by The Republic of Korea Culture News TV Broadcast – ROKCTV Since 2009. Screenshot captured from the website. No resale or database use. Use for AI training is prohibited.〉
〈Copyright ⓒ Photo provided by The Republic of Korea Culture News TV Broadcast – ROKCTV Since 2009. Screenshot captured from the website. No resale or database use. Use for AI training is prohibited.〉
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By Reporter Kim Jun-Ri
ROKCTV 대한민국문화뉴스TV방송 Since 2009
The Republic of Korea Culture News TV Broadcast – ROKCTV Since 2009
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