Index > TKD Learning Center > TKD Games     Article 1. Objects and Name Article 3. Headquarters and Official Language Article 5. Regional Union Article 7. Finances Article 9. The Joint Technical Meeting Article 11. Officials Article 13. The Secretary General Article 15. The Executive Council Article 17. Amendment of the Rules and                           Regulations Article 19. Formulation, Amendment and                           Repeal of the Rules , Regulations                           and By-laws Article 21. Sanctions Article 23. Dissolution Article 2. Operations Article 4. Organization and Membership Article 6. Membership Fee Article 8. General Assembly Article 10. An Extraordinary General Assembly Article 12. The President Article 14. The Duty of the Executive Council                            Members and Auditor Article 16. The Committees Article 18. The President's Emergency                            Measures Article 20. Emblem of the WTF Article 22. The Secretariat   -  Enacted : May 28, 1973 -  Amended : Sep. 14, 1977 -  Amended : Nov. 15, 1980 -  Amended : Feb. 23, 1982 -  Amended : Oct. 19, 1983 -  Amended : July 3, 1986 -  Amended : Oct. 7, 1987 -  Amended : Oct. 7, 1989 -  Amended : Oct. 28, 1991 -  Amended : Aug. 17, 1993 -  Amended : Nov. 17, 1995 -  Amended : Nov. 18, 1997 -  Amended : June 1, 1999 -  Amended : Sept. 23, 2003 -  Amended : April. 12, 2005   Article 1. Objects and Name   1. Taekwondo is a product of traditional Korean culture. The purpose of organizing the Federation is to propagate and standardize Taekwondo along with its traditional Taekwondo spirit throughout the world.     2. The Federation shall be called the World Taekwondo Federation [abbreviated as the WTF].     3. The Federation seeks to realize the ideals, "Swiftly, Powerfully and Accurately" through the medium of Taekwondo competition.     4. The WTF, recognized by the International Olympic Committee, shall observe the general and fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter.     5. The WTF shall promote the principles that the Kukkiwon, center of traditional Taekwondo, has adopted in respect to Taekwondo philosophy, development of techniques and Dan certification. Article 2. Objections   1. To attain the objects of Article 1, the WTF shall conduct the following operations. a). World Taekwondo Championships b). World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships c). Regional Taekwondo Championships d). World University Taekwondo Championships, Women's World Taekwondo Championships, and World Junior Taekwondo Championships e). Various International Championships f). International Referee Seminar g). International Coach Training Course h). Concerted effort to continuously incorporate Taekwondo into the Olympic Games i). Research for propagation and development of Taekwondo techniques j). Publication of necessary materials k). Other operations necessary to attain the objects of Article 1 2. The Operations shall be conducted as follows. a). The World Championships and the World Junior Championships shall be held every two years under the auspices of the WTF and organized by the host member national Association. However, the World Junior Championships shall not be held in the same year when the World Championships are held. b). The Regional Championships shall be held every two years with the approval, and under the supervision of the WTF and shall be organized by the host member National Association selected at the General Assembly of each Regional Union. However, the Regional Championships shall not be held in the same year when the World Championships are held. c). Other international championships, such as invitational and goodwill ones, may be held by any of the member Nations provided that these championships are not named "World" or "Regional" championships. d). The results of each championships shall be reported to the WTF within one month of the conclusion of the championships. e). The WTF Competition Rules shall be applied to all the championships listed above. f). The International Referee Seminar and the International Coach Training Course shall be conducted by the WTF only apart from member National Associations, no other organization shall be authorized to organize or execute referee seminars or coach training courses nor issue certificates therein. World Championships, each Regional Championships and other international championships shall be officiated only by the International Referees sanctioned by the WTF. g). The President shall grant qualification of International Referee to those who have successfully completed the International Referee Seminar and who have passed the test. h). The President shall grant qualification of International Coach to those who have successfully completed the International Coach Training Course and who have passed the test. 3. The rules for organizing the championships and regulations for the International Referee and      International Coach shall be enacted by the Executive Council. 4. Amateurism to be eligible for participation in international competition under the patronage of the     World Taekwondo Federation, a competitor must not have received any financial rewards or material     benefit in connection with his or her sports participation. All competitors, men or women, who conform     to the criteria set out in this code, may participate in international competition except those who have: a). been registered as professional athletes or professional coaches;     b). accepted without the knowledge of the WTF, or the National Association and /or of the NOC, material advantages for their preparation or participation in sports competition;     c). allowed their person, name, or pictures of sports performances to be used for advertising, except when the WTF or their National Association has entered into a contract for sponsorship or equipment. All payment must be made to the WTF or National Association and not to the athlete;     d). carried advertising material on their person or clothing in competition under the patronage of the WTF, other than trademarks on technical equipment or clothing as agreed to by the WTF and the respective National Association;     e). manifestly contravened the spirit of fair play in the exercise of sport, particularly through doping or violence. Article 3. Headquarters and Official Language   1. The headquarters of the WTF shall be located permanently in Seoul, Korea.     2. The official languages of the WTF shall be English, French, German, Spanish and Korean.     3. In case of disagreement over interpretation or translation, the English version shall prevail. In case of disagreement over interpretation of technical matters of Taekwondo, the Korean original version shall prevail.     4. Any member National Association shall have the right to speak in its mother tongue, but the speech shall be translated into the five official languages. Article 4. Organization and Membership   1. The WTF membership shall consist of National Taekwondo Associations representing their respective nations or self-governing territories with the recognition of the WTF.     2. Admittance into the WTF shall require the approval of the Executive Council and the General Assembly of the WTF. The National Association applying for the membership of the WTF are required to present designated application documents to the WTF together with a letter of recognition from the pertinent National Olympic Committee. In addition to that, they are also needed to hand in a letter pledging to dispatch at least three or more competitors to the World Taekwondo Championships and the World Junior Taekwondo Championships of the WTF. Those, considered to have met the requirements for membership status, are admitted as provisional members until their admittance are finally approved. The provisional members have no voting right, but are able to participate in all international Taekwondo competitions approved or promoted by the WTF.     3. The WTF shall approve only one association for each nation or each self-governing territory on the condition that its NOC having recognition from the IOC has recognized the association     4. In case more than one organization claim to represent a nation or self-governing territory, the dispute shall be resolved by the WTF with consideration of the opinions of the NOC.     5. All the affiliated member National Associations and regional organizations shall constitute their respective statutes strictly in conformity with the principles of the WTF Rules and Regulations so as not to contravene any provisions therein.     6. A member National Association shall neither be affiliated to any other international Taekwondo organization not recognized by the WTF, nor participate in any Taekwondo events organized by such an organization.     7. All the member National Associations shall be equal before the WTF Rules and Regulations, and shall be free from any political , religious, racial or other forms of prejudices.     8. Any member National Association may withdraw its membership from the WTF     9. All member National Associations are obliged to dispatch at least three or more competitors to the World Taekwondo Championships and the World Junior Taekwondo Championships. The membership status of those who fail to take part in those competitions for two consecutive years without justifiable reasons including natural calamities are set to be demoted as provisional members. The demoted members will no longer be able to exercise voting rights in official meetings, though they still retain the right to compete in all official competitions of the WTF. However, their full membership status can be restored when they present a document to the WTF confirming their impending participation in one of the two Championships together with a letter pledging to dispatch at least three or more competitors to the both Championships in the days to come. Article 5. Regional Union   1. The member National Associations located in the same region may form a regional union with the prior approval of the Executive Council.     2. The territorial boundaries for jurisdiction of a regional union shall be fixed by the Executive Council and only member National Associations of the WTF may affiliate to a regional union.     3. The constitution of regional union shall be enacted in conformity to the WTF Rules and Regulations, and shall be subject to the final approval of the WTF Executive Council.     4. Only members of the WTF member National Associations belonging to a regional union shall be eligible for election as the president of the regional union.     5. Regional unions shall conduct only the operations approved or entrusted to them by the WTF.     6. The dates and places of the Regional Championships and other regional Taekwondo tournaments shall be subject to the approval of the WTF, and the results thereof shall be reported to the WTF. Article 6. Membership Fee   1. The entrance fee of US$500 shall be paid when admitted into the WTF. Membership fee varies according to the following classification of member nations and shall be payable by the end of each year.   -. Tier 1 : US$700 - Tier 2 : US$500 - Tier 3 : US$300   Classification of member Nations by tier shall be decided every two years by the Executive Council.     2. Failure to pay membership fees will suspend membership and qualification to participate in all the Taekwondo championships and meetings of the WTF. In case a member defers payment of the fee for more than 6 months, the WTF Secretariat shall send a demand note. In case the member defers for another 6 months, its membership shall be cancelled. With the payment of the arrearage the deprived membership may be restored with the majority approval of the Executive Council. Article7. Finances   1. Finances of the WTF shall be appropriated by the following incomes.   a). Membership fees b). Operations income c). Donations and subsidy d). Other incomes     2. The fiscal year of the WTF shall be every two years. The fiscal year starts January 1 of the starting year.     3. Any member National Association applying to host the World Championships or the World Junior Championships shall submit a written application with a guaranty deposit of US$30,000, and that of US$10,000 for World Cup Taekwondo. The television rights are the property of the WTF. Thirty percent (30%) of any fees for broadcasting rights, advertisement income and royalties for using the WTF emblem arranged by the Organizing Committee in connection with all the Championships promoted by the WTF shall be allocated to the WTF. However, in case of arrangements by the WTF for the Organizing Committee, those fees shall be divided in equal parts between the WTF and the Organizing Committee. The guaranty deposit shall be settled according to the balance of accounts on income and expenditure, and should the hosting member National Association fails to hold the Championships, the guaranty deposit shall be at the disposition of the WTF. Article8. General Assembly   1. The General Assembly shall be held every two years and the World Taekwondo Championships shall be held in principle, in the same year and at the same location as the General Assembly is to be held. Each member shall be accorded an equal opportunity to host the World Taekwondo Championships. The General Assembly shall be convened even in years when no World Taekwondo Championships are held. In case no member volunteers to host such championships, the member National Association where the WTF Headquarters is located shall host it.     2. The duties of the General Assembly shall include:   a). election of officials; b). formulation and amendment of the Rules and Regulations; c). approval of the financial budget and financial report; d). approval of the operations reports and operations projects; e). jurisdiction over the World Taekwondo Championships and selection of its host country; f). approval of the Regional Championships and its host country selected by the regional union; g). selection of date and site for the next General Assembly h). other matters of importance.     3. Each member Association may dispatch three representatives to the General Assembly. The voting representative only shall vote and speak. All the representatives shall present their credentials with formal signatures of the Association to the Secretariat.     4. The minutes shall be distributed to each member not later than 2 months after the General Assembly.     5. The General Assembly shall be organized with the members of the Executive Council and the representatives of each member National Association. Members of the Executive Council shall not be delegated at the General Assembly as representatives of each member National Association. Each delegate shall carry the credentials of the National Association that he/she represents.     6. The presidents of member National Associations, in principle, are obliged to attend the General Assembly as representatives of their National Taekwondo Associations. When they are unable to do so, they can designate a proxy to attend the meeting on their behalf. In this case, however, they are required to inform the WTF of the fact through a letter. The proxy must be a member of the pertinent National Association with its nationality.     7. A quorum of the conduct of the General Assembly, the Executive Council meeting and other WTF meetings shall consist of not less than one third of all the members that comprise the respective meeting. A simple majority of members present and voting is required for passage of resolutions and other decision.     8. The chairman has the deciding vote in case of a tie.     9. The ad hoc chairman may be appointed to preside over election of officials.     10. The chairman may conclude the discussion, if deemed necessary, for smooth progress of the meeting. Article9. The Joint Technical Meetion   1. The Joint Technical Meeting, consisting of the WTF Technical Committee members and the chairmen of the Technical Committees of the member National Associations, may be convened.     2. All the representatives attending the Joint Technical Meeting shall submit their credentials to the Secretariat.     3. The Secretary General or the Chairman of the WTF Technical Committee may chair the Joint Technical Meeting. Article10. An Extraordinary General Assembly   1. An Extraordinary General Assembly shall be summoned whenever deemed necessary by the President.     2. The President shall summon the Extraordinary General Assembly within three months at the following request of A or B.   A. At the request of more than 1/3 of the Executive Council members with clear reasons for the summons. B. At the request of more than 1/3 of the member Associations with clear reasons for the summons.     3. The date, place and agenda of the Extraordinary General Assembly shall be designated by the President.     4. Matters that are not included in the written agenda of the meeting shall not be deliberated.     5. In the case of urgency, the President may submit a resolution to the member National Association by post without summoning the General Assembly or Extraordinary General Assembly. If a majority of those who reply, vote in favor of the resolution, the resolution is carried. The result shall be announced in the publication of the WTF and shall be reported to the General Assembly at its next meeting. Article11. Officials   1. The following officials shall be incepted at the WTF.   a). One President b). Six Vice Presidents c). One Secretary General d). One Treasurer e). Thirty or less Executive Council Members (not inclusive of ex-officio members of the Executive Council) f). Two Auditors     2. The officials shall be elected as individuals and not as representatives of member National Associations. Accordingly, in case a member resigns, the post shall not necessarily be filled by another individual of the same nationality. By-election for officials shall be held in the Executive Council Meeting. The term of office for the newly elected will be the remaining period of his predecessor.     3. The term of office of the officials is four years. The Presidents of four Regional Taekwondo Unions representing four continents of Asia, Europe, Pan America and Africa shall automatically be the ex-officio members of the Executive Council. Succession to chair after the senior Vice President shall be as designated by the President. When the President of a Regional Union runs for the President or the Vice President of the WTF, he/she must resign from the Regional Presidency before declaring candidacy. When the President of a Regional Union is not able to perform the duty as ex-officio member, a proxy can be designated from among current Executive Council members of the Regional Union. However, when the President of the Regional Union hopes to regain the duty as ex-officio member or is replaced by another person, the role of the ex-officio member by the proxy shall be automatically terminated.     4. Officials are eligible for re-election.     5. The Secretary General and the Treasurer are set to be appointed by the President.     6. The President is empowered to appoint three Vice Presidents and ten or less members of the Executive Council.     7. Only the executive board members of the member National Associations can be nominated as candidates for the WTF officials including the Presidency with the recommendation of their concerned National Associations. The candidates are also required to present a letter from their National Olympic Committee or National Sports Authority verifying that they are executive board members of their National Associations. The application document for the candidature should arrive at the WTF Secretariat three months before the election date. The National Associations to which the candidates belong are required to submit a letter guaranteeing that they would cover all the expenses needed for their attendance at WTF official meetings. But, the incumbent officials seeking re-election are exempted from the above-mentioned requirements.     8. After the deadline for the candidature application, the Election Committee, composed of five or less members, will be established by the President at the request of the Secretary General for screening the qualifications of the candidates in accordance with the Rules and Regulations. The final list of the candidates screened by the Committee, shall be circulated to all member National Associations in no later than two months before the General Assembly for election.     9. Among the candidates on the final list, those, found to have damaged the image of the WTF by conducting smear campaigns against other candidates through printed materials or malicious remarks, can be disqualified their candidacies in accordance with the result of the investigation by the Election Committee Article12. The President   1. The Duties of the President   A. The President shall lead and represent the WTF. B. The President shall concurrently lead the Executive Council as its Chairman.     2. The Duties of the Vice Presidents   A. The Vice Presidents shall assist the President. In the event the President is unable to accomplish his/her duties with less than one year remaining in his/her term of office, one of the Vice Presidents who has priority in accordance with following order shall assume the President's duties. However, in case more than one year remains in his term of office, a new President shall be elected at an extraordinary General Assembly. The order of priority to assume the President's duties:   1) Senior Vice President   2) Election by the Executive Council B. The Vice Presidents shall concurrently be included in the Executive Council as the Vice Chairmen. Article13. The Secretary General   1. The Secretary General shall plan, perform and manage the secretarial affairs regarding the organization and operations of the WTF and other general affairs.     2. The Secretary General shall submit a report to the General Assembly on the activities of the Secretariat. Article14. The Dury of The Executive Council Members and Auditor   1. The duty of the Executive Council members The Executive Council members shall attend the General Assembly and decide the matters prescribed in Article 15.     2. The duty of the Auditor   A. The Auditor shall conduct audits on the balance sheets and budget of the WTF. B. The Auditor shall submit his statement of the audit to the General Assembly and the Executive Council meeting. Article15. The Executive Council   1. The Executive Council shall consist of the President, the Vice Presidents, and the Secretary General, the Treasurer and the Executive Council members.     2. Any Executive Council member who fails to attend two consecutive meetings without providing proper reason shall cease to be a Council member.     3. The Executive Council shall decide upon:   a). planning and management of the WTF organization and operations; b). financial budget and financial reports; c). formulations, amendments and repeal of the Rules and Regulations, and the rules and by-laws; d). agenda of the General Assembly; e). matters referred to the Executive Council from the General Assembly; f). other matters under its responsibility laid down by the Rules and Regulations.     4. The Executive Council may appoint an ad hoc committee, if necessary.     5. The Executive Council may refer matters under its responsibility to the President.     6. The Executive Council meeting shall be summoned by the President before or after the General Assembly or Extraordinary General Assembly. However, the President may convene an Executive Council meeting whenever it is deemed necessary.     7. In case matters occur that require urgent resolution of the Executive Council, the President may put them on the paper ballot without convening an Executive Council meeting. Article16. The Committees   1. The Executive Council shall appoint the following committees to auxiliary apparatuses.   A. Technical Committee   1). The task of this Committee is to formulate revision of Competition Rules and review the organization and management of Taekwondo competitions. It is to analyze various issues in the effective management of international referees and study the improvement of techniques related to Taekwondo competitions. For systematic achievement of its function, the Committee can have sub committees as follows:   a). Games Committee: To study the requirements for further improvements of the organization and management of Taekwondo competition b). Refereeing Committee: To study the requirements for consistent application of the WTF Competition Rules, and to research methods of effective management of International Referees c). Education Committee:To study the requirement for cultivation of competent coach, etc 2). The Chairman of the Technical Committee, when needed, shall attend the Executive Council meering. The Technical Committee proposes a technical delegate and an ex-officiao member of the Arbitration Board to the Secretary General for all the Taekwondo competitions organized by the WTF. 3). The Chairman of the Technical Committee is required to report to the Secretary General and can hold meetings, when deemed necessary, with the Vice Chairmen of the Committee and members of the sub committees. The Chairman is also obliged to draft the amendment to the Competition Rules for deliberation at the Executive Council meeting, the General Assembly or the Joint Technical Meeting in accordance with the instruction of the Secretary General. 4). The Chairman of the Technical Committee should prepare annual working plan and put it into practice at the approval of the Secretary General. 5). The Technical Committee shall be composed of one Chairman and four Vice Chairmen recommended by the President and approved by the Executive Council for two-year term. Each of the sub committees under its wing is composed of one chairman and ten or less members repectively. 6). The by-laws of the Technical Committee shall be provided separately B. Legislative Committee   To draft the proposed amendments of the Rules and Regulations, and the rules and by-laws. C. Medical Committee   To study and establish guidance on all the medical matters related to Taekwondo competitions. D. Public Relations Committee   To conduct the activities related to the public information of the WTF E. Financial Committee   To study the financial status of the WTF and to research the sources of funding for the various operations of the WTF. F. Women's Committee   To study the requirements concerning the women's Taekwondo competitions. G. Collegiate Committee   To promote and develop the university Taekwondo competitions H. Junior Committee   Tasked with studying affairs concerning organization and management of the junior Taekwondo competitions. I. Sport for All Committee   Tasked with promoting the participation of veteran Taekwondoists in international competitions. J. Marketing Committee   Tasked with conducting marketing activities through TV right sales, advertisement and sponsorship contract while studying ways to diversify the source of revenue     2. All the Committees with the exception of the Technical Committee shall consist of one chairman, two or three vice chairmen and fifteen or less members designated by the President for two-year term. Each Committee is entitled to set up special sub committees.     3. The Committees with the exception of the Technical Committee shall meet at least one day before the opening of the Executive Council meeting held on the occasion of the World Taekwondo Championships. When needed, certain committees may be requested to make verbal or written reports on their activities or anything to recommend to the Executive Council. Each Committee, when needed, may conduct study and analysis on certain problems jointly with other related Committees.     4. The Executive Council or the President may entrust each Committee with execution of the matters under its responsibility. Article17. Amendment of the Rules and Regulations   The amendment of the Rules and Regulations of the WTF shall be proposed with the resolution of the Executive Council or by the approval of more than 1/3 of the total member Nations. The proposed amendment shall be accomplished by a two-third-majority vote. Article18. The President's Emergency Measures   In case disputes occur over matters not specified in the Rules and Regulations, or matters that require urgent solution during the period between the two General Assemblies, the President may take emergency measures subject to later submission to and approval by the next Executive Council meeting and the General Assembly. Article19. Formulation, Amendment and Repeal of the Rules, Regulations and By-laws   The Executive Council shall formulate drafts, amendments, or repeal of the necessary by-laws, rules or regulations. However, the approval of the General Assembly shall be required for the formulation of the congressional proceedings, Competition Rules, and Regulations on organization of the championships. Article20. Emblem of the WTF   1. The emblem of the WTF is the exclusive property of the WTF.     2. The emblem of the WTF shall not be used without prior approval of the WTF. Each member National Association is responsible for prevention of the emblem's use without approval of the WTF in the area under the jurisdiction of that association.     3. The by-laws concerning approval of the use of the WTF emblem shall be enacted separately. Article21. Sanctions   1. Disciplinary action   A. Warning B. Rebuke C. Punishment with a fine D. Suspension of membership E. Expulsion     2. The Sanction Committee of the WTF shall consist of less than five Executive Council members to be designated by the President.     3. The Sanction Committee of the WTF shall be empowered to impose any of the disciplinary actions described in section 1 of this Article, on regional unions, member National Association, or individual participants of Taekwondo competitions such as officials, contestants and International Referees when any of them violates the provisions.     4. Any Regional Union, member National Association, or any individual participants of Taekwondo competitions such as officials, contestants or International Referees who have been referred to the Sanction Committee, may make a verbal or written statement in their defense. Article22. The Secretraiat   1. The WTF shall install the Secretariat at the location of the WTF Headquarters for the execution of the secretarial affairs and duties of the President and the Secretary General.     2. Necessary personnel may be employed at the Secretariat.     3. The Secretariat personnel shall be appointed and dismissed by the President at the recommendation of the Secretary General. However, the President may entrust the Secretary General with that power. Article23. Dissolution   1. The dissolution of the WTF can only be decided upon at the General Assembly by the unanimous resolution of all the members that comprise the General Assembly.     2. Exclusive right over the use of any funds or properties belonging to the WTF shall be given by the General Assembly that have reached the resolution for the dissolution.