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Legacy of Grand Master Park Jung Tae
(1943–2002)
Grand Master Park Jung Tae was one of Taekwon-Do’s most accomplished pioneers — a teacher, leader, and innovator whose influence spanned continents. A Ninth Degree Black Belt and one of the twelve original masters of the Korea Taekwon-Do Association, he dedicated his life to advancing the art, shaping its technical evolution, and sharing its philosophy with practitioners worldwide.
His Life in Taekwon-Do
Born in Korea during a time of profound change, Grand Master Park began training in martial arts as a child, practicing boxing, judo, and karate long before the name “Taekwon-Do” existed. His talent, discipline, and relentless drive quickly set him apart.
During the Vietnam War, he served as the South Korean Army’s leading martial arts instructor, teaching Korean, Vietnamese, and American soldiers and earning recognition as one of the top technical trainers of his time.
After returning to Korea, he became one of the original twelve Taekwon-Do masters, helping lay the foundation for what would become a global art. In 1968 he completed an intensive International Instructors Course and soon began traveling internationally to demonstrate and promote Taekwon-Do.
In 1970, he moved to Canada, where he formed the Manitoba Taekwon-Do Association and continued to pioneer the art across the world. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he played a central role in spreading Taekwon-Do to Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, China, Japan, and South America.
His leadership roles included serving as Secretary-General and Technical Committee Chairman of the International Taekwon-Do Federation, where he worked closely with General Choi Hong Hi.
Founder of the Global Taekwon-Do Federation
In 1990, Grand Master Park established the Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF). As its President until his passing in 2002, he created a new system of hyung, expanded international membership, and continued traveling the world to teach, demonstrate, and inspire.
Under his guidance, the GTF became a home for practitioners seeking strong technical foundations, deep philosophical grounding, and a commitment to integrity within the martial arts.
A Pioneer Across Continents
Grand Master Park Jung Tae was not only a master of technique — he was one of the most influential builders of Taekwon-Do the world has ever known. During a time when the art was still young and little known outside Korea, he carried it across borders, political divides, languages, and entire cultural landscapes.
Through his demonstrations, teaching, and leadership, he helped lay the foundations of Taekwon-Do in regions where the art was still emerging and worked alongside early pioneers in countries where it was beginning to take root. His efforts strengthened national programs, guided future instructors, and brought technical clarity to practitioners seeking authentic instruction.
He is widely recognized for his contributions to the early development of Taekwon-Do in several key regions — including China, Japan, and North Korea — and for supporting the growth of the art throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. His lifelong service and global impact were formally acknowledged with induction into the official Taekwon-Do Hall of Fame in 2009, honoring both his technical mastery and his role in spreading Taekwon-Do worldwide.
These were not simple visits. In many cases, he arrived at a time when Taekwon-Do had little or no formal structure, helping shape training standards and offering guidance that would influence generations of black belts and instructors.
Through travel that spanned continents, political climates, and decades of unwavering dedication, Grand Master Park helped transform Taekwon-Do from a Korean martial art into a truly global movement.
His influence is still felt in every community he touched and in every practitioner who continues the journey he helped begin.
The Meaning of Jook-Am
“Jook-Am” — bamboo in stone — reflects Grand Master Park’s philosophy of what it means to be a martial artist.
Bamboo symbolizes resilience, humility, flexibility, and upright character
Stone represents principles that do not shift, even under pressure
To him, true strength meant rising through adversity with quiet determination, staying humble in achievement, and remaining rooted in one’s values.
This spirit guided both his teaching and his life’s work.
A Family Tribute
Jook-Am™ was created by members of Grand Master Park’s family as a tribute to the ideals he cherished. It is a way to honor his contributions, preserve his philosophy, and share his legacy with new generations of practitioners.
Every design reflects the balance he embodied:
resilience and humility, strength and grace, movement and stillness.
This project is offered with deep respect for the example he set and the global community he helped to build.
Timeline of Contributions
1943 — Born in Korea
1948 — Began martial arts training
1960s — Became a leading instructor in Kwang Ju City and the Korean Army
1965–67 — Served as a technical instructor during the Vietnam War
1968–69 — Trained instructors at ITF Headquarters
1970 — Emigrated to Canada; established Manitoba Taekwon-Do Association
1970s–1980s — Pioneered Taekwon-Do across Europe, Asia, and the Americas
1984 — Elected Secretary-General & Technical Committee Chairman of the ITF
1990 — Founded the Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF)
1990–2002 — President of GTF, continuing global promotion and teaching
11 April 2002 — Passed away; legacy carried on by family, students, and GTF
