The Feud Continues
`Pro-NK’ Taekwondo Master Returns
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
The son of the founder of the International Taekwon-do Federation (ITF), one of the two global taekwondo organizations, came to South Korea after living overseas for 34 years where he was allegedly involved in pro-North Korea activities. He claimed the North Korean authorities took the initiative of the martial arts group and sent spies overseas under the name of taekwondo masters. Choi Jung-hwa, 54, son of the late Choi Hong-hi who founded the federation, arrived at Incheon International Airport Monday.
His return to South Korea came after he expressed his will to come through the Korean embassy in Canada in June at the South Korean government's approval. Choi's father founded ITF in Seoul in 1966 with nine countries being the founding members. But the former general sought refuge in Canada in 1972 following discord with the then authoritarian Park Chung-hee administration, and the ITF's headquarters moved to Canada as well.
ITF has been developed with support from North Korea, and North Korean International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Chang Ung currently heads the federation. In 1973, South Korea established another taekwondo group, the World Taekwondo Federation, which later led to the adoption of taekwondo as an Olympic game. After his father's death in 2002, Choi concluded Chang took the ITF leadership through improper procedures, claiming the North Korean authorities used taekwondo for political purposes. He set up a separate ITF in Canada which he led.
``After taking control of the ITF, the North trained spies and sent them overseas, disguising them as taekwondo masters,'' Choi said in a media briefing at the airport. He also said that North Korea ordered overseas ITF masters, including himself, to assassinate former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan. Choi said he plotted to assassinate Chun who was to visit Canada in 1982, but the Canadian police were alerted to the plan in advance and he fled to North Korea. He then moved to several Eastern European countries, and turned himself in to the Canadian police in 1991, serving a jail term. The authorities and the intelligence agency will investigate him for his alleged involvement in the assassination plan and pro-North Korean activities. He is likely to be indicted on espionage charges.
``I'll actively cooperate with the authorities,'' Choi said. He also said he wants to meet Chun to apologize, and lawmaker Park Geun-hye, daughter of former President Park, to settle the feud of the previous generation.
rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/09/117_30745.html
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
The son of the founder of the International Taekwon-do Federation (ITF), one of the two global taekwondo organizations, came to South Korea after living overseas for 34 years where he was allegedly involved in pro-North Korea activities. He claimed the North Korean authorities took the initiative of the martial arts group and sent spies overseas under the name of taekwondo masters. Choi Jung-hwa, 54, son of the late Choi Hong-hi who founded the federation, arrived at Incheon International Airport Monday.
His return to South Korea came after he expressed his will to come through the Korean embassy in Canada in June at the South Korean government's approval. Choi's father founded ITF in Seoul in 1966 with nine countries being the founding members. But the former general sought refuge in Canada in 1972 following discord with the then authoritarian Park Chung-hee administration, and the ITF's headquarters moved to Canada as well.
ITF has been developed with support from North Korea, and North Korean International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Chang Ung currently heads the federation. In 1973, South Korea established another taekwondo group, the World Taekwondo Federation, which later led to the adoption of taekwondo as an Olympic game. After his father's death in 2002, Choi concluded Chang took the ITF leadership through improper procedures, claiming the North Korean authorities used taekwondo for political purposes. He set up a separate ITF in Canada which he led.
``After taking control of the ITF, the North trained spies and sent them overseas, disguising them as taekwondo masters,'' Choi said in a media briefing at the airport. He also said that North Korea ordered overseas ITF masters, including himself, to assassinate former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan. Choi said he plotted to assassinate Chun who was to visit Canada in 1982, but the Canadian police were alerted to the plan in advance and he fled to North Korea. He then moved to several Eastern European countries, and turned himself in to the Canadian police in 1991, serving a jail term. The authorities and the intelligence agency will investigate him for his alleged involvement in the assassination plan and pro-North Korean activities. He is likely to be indicted on espionage charges.
``I'll actively cooperate with the authorities,'' Choi said. He also said he wants to meet Chun to apologize, and lawmaker Park Geun-hye, daughter of former President Park, to settle the feud of the previous generation.
rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/09/117_30745.html
0 comments:
Post a Comment