50th Founding Anniversary of ITF Marked

Pyongyang, June 16 (KCNA) -- There took place a meeting at the People's Palace of Culture on Wednesday in commemoration of the 50th founding anniversary of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). Kim Yong Jin, vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet, in a congratulatory speech said the ITF has developed into a prestigious and influential martial art organization comprising national associations in about 120 countries and tens of millions of Taekwon-Do practitioners since its foundation. ITF President Ri Yong Son and ITF Vice-President Leong Wai Meng said the present reality in which the ITF demonstrates its dignity and honor, holding its proud position in the world martial art circle would be unthinkable without the unsparing support and encouragement from the government of the DPRK, the cradle of Taekwon-Do. They expressed the belief that the Taekwon-Do practitioners would work hard to disseminate orthodox Taekwon-Do worldwide and develop the ITF as desired by Choe Hong Hui by pooling wisdom and efforts. The participants looked round the Holy Taekwon-Do Hall after watching a video documenting the loving care the peerlessly great men of Mt. Paektu had shown for Choe Hong Hui and the history of ITF development. The DPRK Cabinet hosted a reception Wednesday in honor of the participants in the events for marking the 50th founding anniversary of the ITF. -0-