The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Republic of Korea has officially launched the call for nominations for the designation of Taekwondo Grand Masters for the year 2026. This initiative, regulated by Article 21-2 of the Taekwondo Promotion and Taekwondo Park Creation Act, seeks to recognize and honor exceptional practitioners who have dedicated their lives to the preservation, promotion, and global dissemination of this martial art.
According to the Ministry's official publication (Publication No. 2026–0037, dated January 29, 2026), no more than two individuals will be appointed this year. Appointments will only be granted if candidates strictly comply with the established criteria; otherwise, there may be no appointments.
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Hold a 9th Dan certificate issued by Kukkiwon, having passed the corresponding promotion exam.
- To have contributed significantly to the spread of taekwondo both in Korea and internationally.
- Demonstrate impeccable professional ethics, with no history of sporting irregularities (according to the National Sports Promotion Act).
- Be a role model in the local community, for example, by actively participating in volunteer activities.
- Comply with other ethical standards established by presidential decree.
The evaluation process combines qualitative and quantitative aspects, with a minimum total score of 85 points required for designation:
- Ethics (up to 50 points): Includes reputation, community involvement, and absence of serious offenses (zero points if there are falsehoods, convictions for sports corruption, prolonged tax debts, etc.).
- Contribution to promotion and dissemination (up to 50 points): Points are awarded based on years of experience in taekwondo education (maximum 45 for 40+ years), number of students promoted to Dan/Poom, and training of international athletes.
- Additional points (up to 10): For long-term volunteer work (minimum 5 years with a high average) or awards such as the Order of Sports Merit or medals in international competitions.
The Taekwondo Promotion Foundation is the entity responsible for receiving applications and recommendations.
- Deadline: Friday, April 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM (Korean time).
- They can apply individually or be recommended by authorized organizations such as Kukkiwon, the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation, the Korean Taekwondo Association, or World Taekwondo.
- Documents must be sent by post or email to the Foundation (address: 1482 Museol-ro, Seolcheon-Myeon, Muju-Gun, Jeollabuk-Do; email: ykby3879@tpf.or.kr; telephone: +82-63-320-0082).
- An extensive set of documents is required, including an application/recommendation form, 9th Dan certificate, statement of achievements, criminal record, volunteer and promotion certificates, personal data consent forms, photos, among others. (Documents will not be returned).
The process includes initial review, deliberation by the Designation Committee, public verification of achievements (to detect irregularities), and finally the designation ceremony scheduled for September 2026 (dates subject to change).
This call for applications was also published on the official World Taekwondo website, confirming the same deadline of April 3, 2026, and linking to the detailed document from the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation, which underscores its official nature and coordination with international taekwondo entities.
The Ministry emphasizes that any falsehood in the documentation may result in legal sanctions, and that designation is not guaranteed even if the minimum requirements are met, as the Committee has final discretion.
For further details or to download the complete document (including forms in Appendices No. 4, 5, 6, and 7), please visit the World Taekwondo website or contact the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation directly.
This designation represents one of the highest honors in the world of Kukkiwon-style taekwondo, recognizing not only technical mastery, but also a lifetime dedicated to the ethical, educational, and service values of the Korean martial art.
2026 Recommendation and Application for Designation of Taekwondo Grand Masters:
