It was learned that the declarations of former WTF Secretary General, Mr. Jin Suk Yang, generated discomfort and great annoyance among different members of several WTF Technical Committees, (See: We introduce to you: the “World Taekwondo Academy”). These statements were related to the responsibilities and purposes of the World Taekwondo Academy, where Yang said literally: “The WTA will be responsible for all matters relating to training, refreshment and education. All publications in books or magazines from the WTF must be done or revised by us”.”The preparation and training of coaches, the constant revision of the rules and regulations of our sport, in short, everything related to the Academy and education, will be our responsibility, as well as the research and development of many areas we are trying to establish”

MasTaekwondo.com called twice Mr. Chakir Chelbat, current WTF Referee Chairman to ask about Yang´s declarations. Mr. Chelbat requested time, until Wednesday, to give us a reply because he wanted to talk about this issue with Dr. Chungwon Choue, WTF President. Remembre that the committee he heads, is presently the one in charge of organizing courses for International Referees.

The World Taekwondo Federation quickly denied the statements made by Yang, published in www.masTaekwondo.com on February 22, even correcting the name of the entity, explaining that: “…it is not “World Taekwondo Academy”, but “World Taekwondo Federation Academy”. It is WTF Academy, and not WTA.”, something that was strongly emphasized by Yang when we made reference to the ITA (International Taekwondo Academy). “We must not confuse the previous ITA (International Taekwondo Academy) with this. It is the WTA (World Taekwondo Academy), it is important to make this clear.” explained the former WTF Secretary General.

The person who was “the Strong Man in the WTF” for several years, now will guide an institution which, according to the World Taekwondo Federation, is only intended to serve as an educational institute for basic levels and grassroots, and that will not replace any existing program that is currently active in the WTF.

The World Taekwondo Federation, which oddly has two headquarters (one in Switzerland and one in South Korea), apparently has also two ways of thinking internally as far away from each other, as the distance between those two countries.

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Below we publish the letter sent by the WTF to masTaekwondo.com

For immediate release

February 26, 2013

Regarding the article in MasTaekwondo, published on their website on February 22, 2013, some misinformation was given on the role that the WTF Academy is expected to serve.

The Academy’s proposed activities is to only serve as an educational institute for basic level, or grassroots level, education and training of coaches, instructors and referees that aspire to more advanced activities at the international level. The Academy will surely work under consultation with all relevant committees of the WTF.

Currently, there are nationally certified instructors referees that, until now, have had no training programs at their disposal. The Academy and its activities will only expand our training programs to the lower levels. It will not replace any existing training programs currently active in the WTF.

Then WTF Academy is a part of the initiatives to move forward in the development of our sport to the grassroots level. As such, the Academy and its activities are subject to definition and approval of the WTF Council and General Assembly upon consultation with relevant WTF Committees.

While I am confident that the WTF Academy will provide great support to the Taekwondo family, it will adhere to all protocol that has been established over the recent years to ensure transparency and good governance.

It is regrettable that any misinformation has occurred.

-End-

Oficial letter: Correction on MasTKD 022213 Article