The ancient art of Tae-Kyon evolved during the Silla Dynasty approximately 1300 years ago in Korea.  This primitive art of unarmed combat was first practiced by monks.  The three kingdoms of Silla, Koguryo and Baekebae made up ancient Korea.  The smallest of these was Silla and was constantly invaded.   King Chiu Heung then the 24th king of Silla gathered the strong, intellectual and patriotic youth of his kingdom to defend its territory.  This elite group of dynamic youths prepared themselves mentally and physically to the extreme in the practice of Tae-Kyon and called themselves Hwa Rang Do.  To give the group an identity a strict moral code was incorporated:

• Be loyal to your king

• Be obedient to your parents

• Be honourable to your friends

• Never retreat in battle

• Make a just kill

With this band of dedicated and fearless Hwa Rang the three kingdoms were unified.  After the Silla Dynasty the art of Tae-Kyon had a few setbacks.   During the Yi Dynasty Tae Kyon was not encouraged, rather there was a preference to literary arts.  As a result development in the art was sadly hindered.  Worse was yet to come.  When the Japanese occupied Korea the practice of Tae-Kyon was absolutely forbidden.   Only in very remote rural areas a few traces of Tae Kyon survived.  The art was nearly extinct.  Not until after liberation (36 years of Japanese occupation) did the intense feelings of patriotism and national pride revive the practice of Tae-Kyon.  Today Tae-Kyon is known popularly all over the world as Taekwondo.

The Rhee brothers were among the specially selected group of masters that initially toured and diffused the modern day art all over the world, performing demonstrations and classes.  They taught in many different countries before establishing themselves permanently in Australia.  Before their arrival in Australia martial art was hardly heard of or understood, let alone Rhee Taekwondo. 

The seed of Rhee Taekwondo was planted in the ‘60’s  and South Australia’s initial class was conducted at the Adelaide Y.M.C.A. centre.  Grand Master Chong Chul Rhee, now known as the Father of Australian Taekwondo, worked tirelessly to introduce Rhee Taekwondo throughout Australia and New Zealand.  Today tens of thousands of Australians are enjoying the vast array of benefits from practicing this most progressive and effective modern art.

Rhee Taekwondo is most assuredly a dynamic and extremely effective martial art - more valid in the violent times in which we live, than ever before.  But the art reaches much further than mere combat effectiveness.  The discipline, mental training and varied techniques also provide the grounds for engendering in the practitioner a strong sense of justice, fortitude, compassion, humility and resolve.  It is this important mental conditioning that  separates the  true  practitioner from  one who has mastered only the physical aspects of the art.