The Kukkiwon Seoul, South Korea

The Kukkiwon, established in 1972, is known as the World Taekwondo Headquarters and is based in Seoul, South Korea. It acts as the issuing body for Taekwondo Dan Grade Certification and promotion. 

In addition, the Kukkiwon conducts holds International Instructors Courses and is home to the World Taekwondo Academy, which trains and certifies Taekwondo instructors. The Academy is also entrusted to conduct two instructor courses by the Korean Ministry of Culture and Sports.

The Kukkiwon is also the only taekwondo organisation whose black belt Dan grades are recognised by World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). The WTF governs the sport fighting discipline of Taekwondo and does not issue Dan grades or black belt certification. In actual fact the Kukkiwon and the WTF are totally separate organisations either though the two are sometimes confused.

Visitors to the Kukkiwon can also experience a visit around the museum.