A Study on the Perception of Taekkyeon in North Korean Primary Sources

This study investigates North Korea’s perception of Taekkyeon through an analysis of original North Korean sources. By examining primary documents such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, and folklore publications issued in North Korea and by the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, the study reveals that Taekkyeon was not recognized as an independent traditional martial art prior to the introduction of Taekwondo by General Choi Hong-Hi in the 1980s. From that point on, Taekkyeon was framed within political and ideological narratives as the predecessor of Taekwondo, rather than reflecting an actual tradition of martial arts transmission. These findings demonstrate how North Korea reconstructed martial arts history to align with nationalist and ideological objectives. The study provides foundational data for further research on traditional martial arts and inter-Korean cultural exchange.