On the end of the April, It seems that Gen. Choi
was ready for death. He sent an official document to South Korea
Government, North Korea Government and an organ of public opinion
in order to visit his motherland before death. South Korea finally
refused this. Since 1972, Gen. Choi showed his wishes to visit
his motherland a few tines, but he could not stamp the ground
of South Korea. In the end Gen. Choi chose North Korea with the
serious illness on 14 May 2002, and then he passed away at the
northern part of his motherland on 15 June 2002.
A document and photo were sent to a South Korea communication
by Grand Master Woo Jin Jung. The document indicated that the
practitioners of Taekwon-Do and Korean living abroad complained
about the position of South Korea government, because Gen. Choi
was refused by South Korea.
On the end of the April 2002, Gen. Choi sent the requirements
to South Korea government in order to visit his motherland as
following.
1. To define Gen. Choi's position as the founder of Taekwon-Do.
2. To be decorated by government and resume honor as a General.
3. To approve General Choi as a meritorious person for independence
from Japan.
4. To be held a memorial service of Taekeon-Do by government and
buried in a national cemetery.
About these requirements South Korea government
could not indicate any clear response. On the contrary, North
Korea government replied that General Choi is a meritorious person
for independence from Japan, the founder of Taekwon-Do and North
Korea will hold a memorial service of Taekeon-Do for Gen. Choi
and bury in the patriotic martyrs' cemetery if Gen. Choi pass
away, while South Korea government took an unclear position. Eventually,
Gen. Choi chose North Korea for death.
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| Before General Choi was leaving
Toronto, Grand Master Woo Jin Jung was grasping
Gen. Choi's hand and Grand Master Hwang Kwang Sung was
crying. |
During Gen. Choi's lifetime, he wanted to visit
South Korea nobly and retrieve his honor, unfortunately, it
was a dream only. Gen. Choi continued a hard work for popularizing
and developing Taekwon-Do all his life. His greatest wishes
were to unify Taekwon-Do and his motherland, Korea by strengthening
the power of ITF. But he was refused by the half of his motherland,
South Korea.
The news translated from the MOOTO web of South
Korea. July 01, 2002
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