From September 25 to 28, WTA conducted the 126th European International Taekwondo Master Course (hereafter the Course) over four days at the German Sport University Cologne, located in Cologne, Germany.

The Course drew 124 Taekwondo instructors from 32 countries, including Germany, demonstrating strong interest in international taekwondo master training.

The Course, directly planned and operated by WTA in Europe, was designed to provide local Taekwondo instructors with Kukkiwon’s standardized curriculum and to expand opportunities to obtain the international taekwondo master qualification.

It also focused on improving access for European instructors who had difficulty attending training in Korea due to geographic constraints.

The Course combined both theoretical and practical training.

The theoretical training was led by WTA Professor Choi Jung-gu and covered the fundamental qualities and teaching philosophy required of a Taekwondo master, including: Taekwondo history, Taekwondo spirit, character education, and grading theory.

In the practical training that followed, WTA Professor Kwon Hyung-nam led Poomsae instruction and Kukkiwon overseas-dispatched Master Lee Dong-eon (Germany) led Gyeorugi instruction, so that participants could systematically acquire proper teaching methods.

Notably, Masters Kim Hong-young and Kim Sae-rom, a father-and-daughter pair who run a Taekwondo gym in Germany, drew attention by taking part in the Course together.

After the Course, Master Kim Hong-young said, “I have taught Taekwondo in Germany for a long time, but it was meaningful to take part in a course directly organized by Kukkiwon in Europe,” adding, “It was a very special moment to reflect on my role as an instructor while completing Kukkiwon’s training program with my daughter.”

His daughter, Master Kim Sae-rom, also said, “It was very meaningful to learn alongside my father as a participant” adding, “I want to pass on what I learned in this Course to my local students as soon as possible.”

WTA Vice President Ahn Jae-yun said, “Through this Course, we were able to communicate directly with Taekwondo instructors from Europe and other parts of the world,” adding, “We will continue to strive to provide more training opportunities for Taekwondo instructors overseas.”

Kukkiwon plans to continue expanding the number and locations of overseas training programs, further strengthening its Taekwondo education system