Dr. Un Yong Kim was one of the most influential figures in the modern history of Taekwondo, playing a decisive role in transforming the art from a Korean martial discipline into a globally recognized Olympic sport. Born in Korea in 1931, Dr. Kim rose to international prominence through his leadership, vision, and administrative skill. He served as President of the World Taekwondo Federation (now World Taekwondo) for more than three decades and was instrumental in establishing standardized rules, international competitions, and a unified global structure for Taekwondo.
Dr. Kim also served as Vice President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where his advocacy was central to Taekwondo’s acceptance as an official Olympic sport, debuting at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Under his leadership, Taekwondo expanded rapidly, reaching millions of practitioners across more than 200 countries, and became one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the world.
Beyond sport administration, Dr. Kim was widely respected for his commitment to cultural diplomacy, using Taekwondo as a bridge between nations and cultures. His lifelong dedication left a lasting legacy that continues to shape international Taekwondo today. In recognition of his historic contributions, Dr. Un Yong Kim not only formally recognized the Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame® but also received the “highest honor in Taekwondo” upon being inducted into the organization on August 25, 2011