BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 28, 2023) - The World Taekwondo General Assembly convened today, exactly 50 years on from its founding meeting to discuss key matters and reaffirm unity among the Taekwondo family. 

The General Assembly welcomed Namibia as its 213th Member National Association (MNA) reflecting the significant global growth of Taekwondo from just 17 MNAs when the International Federation was founded 50 years ago. 

Addressing delegates, World Taekwondo President Choue said:
“It is my great privilege to open the 36th General Assembly on the same date as the founding of World Taekwondo half a century ago. We have come a long way in the past 50 years. We are strongly united as a family, and we have stayed together no matter what kind of challenges we faced. You are my family. This is how I have been feeling all these years and I treasure the moments we have together. Thank you for your friendship and solidarity. Our harmony and togetherness are the foundation of our success. Your solidarity and dedication will be the basis for another 50 amazing years of World Taekwondo.”

In a special congratulatory message for World Taekwondo’s 50th anniversary, IOC President Thomas Bach said:
“As you celebrate this great milestone you can look back on 50 years of great progress. Starting with only 17 MNAs 50 years ago you made your Olympic debut at the Olympic Games Sydney 2000. Since then you have not stopped growing and developing your sport. In this context, I would like to in particular highlight the outstanding achievements accomplished under the leadership of your great President Choue. He has made Taekwondo one of the fastest, if not the fastest, growing sports in the world which is now a truly global sport. As your 213 member associations today underline in an impressive way, Taekwondo now enjoys worldwide appeal. In this way you are bringing together people all over the world in peaceful competition, thereby promoting our shared Olympic values.”

During the General Assembly there were a number of presentations and reports including the 2022-2023 Operation and Finance Reports, the qualification process for the Olympic Games LA 2028, and the advancement of Virtual Taekwondo which will feature as the only combat sport in the IOC’s Olympic Esports Week.

The next General Assembly will be held in Chuncheon in Korea on the occasion of the 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships.