Published by Electro Sport India | October 2025

World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won poses during the federation’s general assembly in Wuxi, China, Thursday. Courtesy of World Taekwondo

A Historic Sixth Term for Taekwondo’s Global Leader

The global taekwondo community has once again placed its trust in Dr. Choue Chung-won, re-electing him for a sixth and final term as President of World Taekwondo (WT) during the federation’s General Assembly held in Wuxi, China.

At 77, Dr. Choue will continue to lead the world governing body until the 2029 World Taekwondo Championships, extending a remarkable 21-year leadership journey that began in 2004.

In a vote combining on-site and online participation from WT Council Members and National Associations, Choue received 143 votes in favour, with five against and one abstention — a strong endorsement of his continued vision for the sport.

From Scholar to Global Sports Statesman

Born in 1947 in South Korea, Dr. Choue holds:

• A B.A. in Economics from Kyung Hee University (1970)
• A Master’s in International Politics from Fairleigh Dickinson University, USA (1974)
• A Ph.D. in International Politics from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (1984)

He first assumed leadership of World Taekwondo in 2004, following the passing of founding president Dr. Kim Un-yong, and has since won reelection in 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021 — and now 2025.

Transforming Taekwondo Through Innovation and Integrity

Under Dr. Choue’s visionary leadership, Taekwondo has:

✅ Strengthened Olympic Status – Ensuring Taekwondo remains a core Olympic sport since its full inclusion in 2000, now featuring in eight consecutive Olympic Games.

✅ Revolutionized Competition Fairness – Introducing the Protector & Scoring System (PSS), instant video replay, advanced referee education, and transparent governance reforms to build fairness and credibility.

✅ Expanded Global Membership – Growing to 210 member nations, making World Taekwondo one of the most inclusive federations under the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).

✅ Launched the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) – Using Taekwondo as a tool for hope and empowerment among refugees and displaced youth.

✅ Pioneered Para Taekwondo – Leading the sport’s successful inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, marking a new era of inclusivity and accessibility.

✅ Promoted Digital & Esports Integration – Championing Virtual Taekwondo competitions and hybrid formats that merge technology, entertainment, and athletic skill — paving the way for a future where Taekwondo meets the digital generation.

Leadership with Humanity

Beyond medals and rankings, Dr. Choue’s legacy shines in his humanitarian vision:

“Taekwondo should not discriminate. We should inspire.”
— Dr. Choue Chung-won

Through initiatives like the Taekwondo Peace Corps, THF Academy, and partnerships with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), he has brought Taekwondo’s core philosophy — courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit — into action worldwide.

What This Means for India 🇮🇳

For India’s Taekwondo community, this re-election brings continuity, confidence, and opportunity:

• Stable Leadership at WT ensures alignment between global policies and India’s ongoing development efforts under India Taekwondo and Kukkiwon India initiatives.
• Digital & Esports Growth offers new avenues for Indian youth engagement and possible hosting of Virtual Taekwondo events in the coming years.
• Humanitarian Partnerships through THF can inspire programs within Indian refugee and underprivileged communities — using Taekwondo as a bridge for empowerment.
• Event Modernization and PSS-based scoring systems will continue to evolve — a field where Electro Sport India is already contributing through technology, education, and access to world-class gear.

Looking Ahead: Taekwondo’s Future Beyond 2029

Dr. Choue’s sixth term marks both a continuation and a transition period. As he serves his final years in office, the sport is expected to undergo:

• Increased digitalization of competitions and training platforms.
• Strengthened governance frameworks under WT’s ongoing reforms.
• New professional and ranking leagues that could globalize the sport’s commercial reach.
• Deeper collaboration with national bodies to promote youth development and gender equality.

Electro Sport India’s View

At Electro Sport India, we celebrate Dr. Choue’s re-election as a moment of inspiration — one that reinforces Taekwondo’s global unity and its future in both sport and society.

His continued leadership ensures that innovation, inclusion, and integrity remain at the heart of our sport — values we share and uphold in our work to strengthen Taekwondo across India.