“We will lead the national expansion of Meridian Poomsae, starting with Jeonbuk Province – the birthplace of modern Taekwondo.”

Choi Jae-kyun, Director of Meridian Poomsae at the World Children Taekwondo Union and Vice President of the Jeonbuk Senior Taekwondo Association, stated in an interview with STN Sports, “We aim to develop Jeonbuk into a hub for Meridian Poomsae that is tailored to the fitness and physique of seniors.”

Choi, who first entered the martial arts world in the 1960s, was captivated by his martial arts master’s training in Tang Soo Do long before Taekwondo was widely practiced. For him, Taekwondo has been a lifelong source of strength, helping him overcome adversity and stay true to justice.

Now working in collaboration with the World Children Taekwondo Union, Choi is accelerating the nationwide dissemination of Meridian Poomsae, a practice that synchronizes breathing and motion, reducing fatigue and supporting sustainable training. This method focuses on precise control of energy flow (Qi) throughout the body, making it especially beneficial for older practitioners.

The growing popularity of Meridian Poomsae reflects a broader trend: it offers a training method well-suited to aging bodies, allowing people of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy Taekwondo without fear of overexertion. This aligns with the core values of lifelong Taekwondo practice.

Choi noted, “Our province is actively leading the way with the country’s first budgeted project for Meridian Poomsae, made possible through the Provincial Senior Sports Council.” He expressed sincere gratitude to the provincial council members who supported the budget allocation despite challenging circumstances.

On the topic of senior Taekwondo, Choi observed, “Most Taekwondo practitioners, whether in competitive or recreational fields, tend to step away from the front lines by their 50s.” He emphasized the importance of unity and volunteer spirit among senior practitioners, highlighting the need for a vibrant and healthy lifestyle in later years.

In fact, the Jeonbuk Senior Taekwondo Association, which Choi leads alongside President Jung Sun-jin, is the only senior Taekwondo organization in the country officially operating under the Provincial Senior Sports Council, receiving direct funding for operations and education.

The national spread of Meridian Poomsae is being bolstered by the current societal focus on health. In an era marked by rapid aging and low birthrates, there is a growing demand for healthy and active lifestyles. With nearly 200 million practitioners worldwide, Taekwondo is increasingly being seen as a health-focused cultural asset.

In line with this, the World Children Taekwondo Union (President: Rhee Sang-gi) and the Jeonbuk Senior Taekwondo Association have agreed to collaborate on promoting “Tae-rini” culture—a movement encouraging participation in Taekwondo by all age groups, including active seniors and Taekwondo enthusiasts of all generations.

A key milestone will be the upcoming ‘Tae-rini Culture Festa’ in Muju-gun this September, which is expected to serve as a turning point. The WCTU noted that this event will create a platform for promoting both health and generational unity through Taekwondo, in collaboration with international Taekwondo organizations and local governments.

Through this event, both organizations plan to expand the base of senior fitness through Taekwondo by stimulating meridian points to enhance health, and at the same time, foster stronger family and intergenerational bonds. The event is expected to lay the foundation for making Taekwondo a widely embraced part of everyday culture.

Choi emphasized, “Having demonstration classes and performances as part of this government-approved project (by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) offers a great opportunity not just for senior Taekwondo practitioners but also for young trainees—it has real preventive health benefits.”

He also noted, “Alongside Meridian Poomsae, we will also be showcasing ‘Brain Poomsae,’ which is designed to enhance cognitive health in children. This is a meaningful step toward making Taekwondo a part of everyday wellness for kids, and we expect strong interest from parents across the country.”

Reporter Yoo jungwoo