Tae Kwon Do was first developed by General Choi Hong-Hi on 11 April 1955. Eventually this resulted in the creation of the International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF). Since then, for many reasons, senior instructors have left the ITF to forward their own views on Tae Kwon Do. One such master to leave the ITF was our own Grand Master Park Jung Tae, who left the ITF in 1990 to form the Global Tae Kwon Do Federation (GTF). He left the ITF as an 8th Degree Master, because he felt that the ideals being taught by the highest ranked within the organisation where not being lived up to by those who were practising the art.

Grand Master Park Jung Tae was a student of Tae Kwon Do for his lifetime. He was an instructors ‘dream student’. When he began training in Tae Kwon Do it didn’t take long for his natural talents to emerge and it was shortly thereafter that he became known for his technical expertise. During the years of his training, Grand Master Park gave 100% to perfecting his techniques. His struggle for perfection meant personal sacrifice as he pushed himself beyond normal limits. He practised every day, over and over again until the techniques became second nature to him. No one surpassed Grand Master Park’s technical abilities.

As the years went by, Grand Master Park became well known in the ITF and he played a very important role in its development especially in the 1980s. He was sought after to conduct seminars throughout the world due to his knowledge and ability to teach regardless of language barriers. His indomitable spirit was felt by everyone who knew him and his humbleness was his greatest attribute. Grand Master Park was a true martial artist who worked diligently and faithfully to reach the rank of Grand Master.

It was in 1989 that Grand Master Park left the ITF and, before long, many masters and instructors from around d the world also left. Due to ‘political unrest’, Grand Master Park was urged by many to form a new Tae Kwon Do Federation that was non political and not funded by any government. The GTF became a registered entity in 1990.

The GTF became the third Tae Kwon Do Federation in the world to be recognised by South Korea. There will never be another. Those days are gone forever. In the history of Tae Kwon Do there has been no other martial artist who has achieved what Grand Master Park has done. His name, known worldwide as the best technical trainer ever, warranted the recognition of the GTF.

2002 was a very bad year for Tae Kwon Do, not only did the founder of Tae Kwon Do, General Choi pass away, but Grand Master Park Jung Tae also left this world on 11 April 2002. A bizarre coincidence that his departure was on the same day as its official inception in 1955.

One thing is for certain – his influence on Tae Kwon Do will never be forgotten.