이 연구는 최홍희와 김운용을 대상으로 태권도철학과 정체성을 위한 노력, 그리고 세계화의 전략 등의 비교를 통해 향후 태권도의 세계화 전략을 탐색하는데 있다.
첫째, 국제태권도연맹의 태권도 세계화 전략으로서 최홍희는 태권도의 명칭제정과 태권도 역사적 전통성을 확립하였다. 보급방법은 시법을 통한 지도였으며, 그가 창안한 창헌류는 민족사상을 기초로 하여 24개 틀 이름이 민족인물로 구성되어 한국의 역사와 문화의 습득, 그리고 민족문화의 보급으로 연결되었다. `예의, 염치, 인내, 극기, 백절불굴`이라는 태권도정신을 창안하였고, 기술보다 무도정신을 강조하였으며, `국기태권도`라는 용어를 최초로 사용하였으나 김운용이 대한태권도협회장 취임 후 `국기태권도 대통령 박정희`라고 쓴 휘호를 받으면서 보편화되었다.
둘째, 세계태권도연맹의 세계화 전략은 스포츠화 된 방식으로 경기규정의 개정, 몸통보호구 개발, 국제경기가맹단체의 가입 등으로 발전하였다. 이를 주도한 김운용은 스포츠외교 능력으로 IOC위원, GAISF회장, IOC부위원장에 피선되었으며, 그가 창립한 세계태권도연맹은 170개국 이상의 회원국이 가입되어 태권도가 올림픽 정식종목의 스포츠로 성장하게 하였다.
최홍희와 김운용이 주장한 태권도철학과 세계화 전략을 심도 있게 연구하여 민족 전통무도로 불리어지는 태권도의 통합을 이루고, 증주국으로서의 면모를 가다듬을 필요가 있다.
This study aims to explore future strategies for the globalization of Tae Kwon Do by comparing two leading figures in the modem history of Tae Kwon Do, Choi Hong Hi and Kim Un Yong, in their philosophies of The Kwon Do, their efforts to establish its identity, and their strategies for its globalization. The study`s main arguments are summarized below. First, Choi Hong Hi contributed to establishing the identity of Tae Kwon Do in Korea`s historical tradition. He was also the first to give it a formal name "Tae Kwon Do." His primary method of spreading Tae Kwon Do was teaching by demonstration. The Chang Hyun style he developed was composed of the names of twenty-four forms derived from prominent national figures, which promoted national culture and historical consciousness. Choi Hong Hi also formulated four mentalities as the goals that practitioners of Tae Kwon Do must pursue - Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, and Indomitable Spirit. He stressed the spirit of martial arts rather than techniques. Choi was the first to use the term "Kuk Ki Tae Kwon Do(meaning Tae Kwon Do as a national sport)," although the term became more widespread as Kim Un Yong was awarded a banner signed "Kuk Ki Tae Kwon Do, President Park Chung Hee" at the time of his inauguration as the president of the National Tae Kwon Do Federation. Second, the World Tae Kwon Do Federation sought the globalization of Tae Kwon Do in several ways. The Federation defined Tae Kwon Do as a sport, developed devices for bodily protection, improved the game rules, and expanded its membership with other international sports associations. Kim Un Yong played a central role in these efforts, and due to his strong leadership and skills in sports diplomacy, he was elected to several high-profile positions, including committee member of the IOC, president of GAISF, and vice-president of the IOC. The World Tae Kwon Do Federation founded under his leadership now has more than 170 countries as members, seeing Tae Kwon Do adopted as a formal competitive game of the Olympic Games. More in-depth studies of the Tae Kwon Do philosophies and its globalization strategies advanced by these two leading proponents are required in the future, as they would contribute to unifying Tae Kwon Do as a national sport as well as to build up the reputation of Korea as its founding country.