All the Questions We Ask Ourselves
- Taekwondo in Belgium and worldwide: what is the recognition chain?
- Official world federations: what’s the difference between World Taekwondo (WT) and Kukkiwon?
- Recognized federations in Belgium
- In Belgium: national/local diploma or worldwide diploma?
- What are the differences and regulations?
- How to verify a Dan grade on the Kukkiwon website?
- Exam fees
- Good to know: waiting periods between promotions, Keup belt system, Tangsudo, Soobakhdo, how to justify your grade, etc.
- Number of Kukkiwon Dan grades in Belgium
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For better understanding and reference, here is a summary of the Taekwondo hierarchy (WT/Kukkiwon system) from Korea to Belgium.
In Short: The Chain of Recognitions
World Taekwondo / WT and Kukkiwon (= World Federations)
ETU (= European Taekwondo Union)
BTF (= Belgian Taekwondo Federation, the only official national union that brings together the three recognized Belgian federations)
Taekwondo Vlaanderen, ABFT, or TVDSG (= Official Belgian federations for the Dutch-speaking, French-speaking, and German-speaking communities)
The Official Federations
The World Federations: World Taekwondo (WT) and Kukkiwon — What’s the Difference?
These two organizations work closely together and have complementary functions.
KUKKIWON — Tradition and Technical Authority
Kukkiwon is the World Taekwondo Headquarters — the center of Taekwondo worldwide.
It regulates examinations, training, and grading standards for national federations across the globe.
Located in Seoul, South Korea, where Taekwondo was born, Kukkiwon was founded in 1972 and is recognized as the official global authority for the promotion, certification, and development of Taekwondo.
It defines:
- the rules and forms (Poomsae),
- the issuance of internationally recognized Dan certificates,
- the training of masters and instructors,
- and ensures the technical standards of Taekwondo are upheld.
A true symbol of excellence, Kukkiwon embodies the spirit, tradition, and modern evolution of this Korean martial art.
As practitioners, we follow the teachings and values promoted by Kukkiwon, allowing us to progress within a recognized and high-quality framework.
WORLD TAEKWONDO (WT) — The Sport and Competition Organization
World Taekwondo is the international federation that governs Taekwondo as a sport, especially in the Olympic Games.
Founded in 1973, WT organizes the World Championships and establishes the official rules for competition.
Working hand in hand with Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo promotes a modern, dynamic, and accessible form of Taekwondo around the world.
BELGIUM: National Structure
In Belgium, Taekwondo is structured around three official community federations, each recognized by its linguistic community:
- ABFT – Association Belge Francophone de Taekwondo (French-speaking community)
- Taekwondo Vlaanderen (TV) (Dutch-speaking community)
- Taekwondo Lëtzebuergesch Federatioun (TVDSG) (German-speaking community)
These federations ensure the development of Taekwondo at the local and national levels, organize training, exams, and competitions, and represent Belgium internationally in collaboration with World Taekwondo and Kukkiwon.
In Belgium: Regional Dan Certificate or Worldwide Dan Certificate (Kukkiwon)?
When Taking a Dan Examination
There are two types of Dan certificates, depending on the internal organization of the federation — even if this distinction is not always visible to the public or practitioners.
The National or Federation Certificate
Issued by a national or independent federation, this rank is recognized only locally, within that same federation — not internationally.
Note:
If your certificate does not mention “Kukkiwon,” it usually means it has limited recognition.
Converting this rank later into a Kukkiwon certificate can be complex, time-consuming, and costly (additional fees, long delays, equivalency requests, or even re-taking the exam).
The Kukkiwon Certificate (the only worldwide Dan diploma)
The Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul, is the only institution authorized to issue Dan certificates with global recognition.
You can obtain a Kukkiwon certificate through:
- a federation recognized by the Kukkiwon,
- a certified Kukkiwon International Instructor,
- or directly in South Korea.
This diploma grants international recognition and allows practitioners to progress to higher Dan ranks and official instructor or examiner qualifications.
At the Académie Master Kim
The Académie Master Kim conducts only Kukkiwon Dan examinations, ensuring that each practitioner’s rank is globally recognized and that they can progress without administrative or competitive restrictions in the future.
How to Verify a Dan Certificate on the Kukkiwon Website?
How to Verify a Dan Certificate on the Kukkiwon Website
First, you will need three pieces of information about the person concerned:
- Either their Dan number (the easiest way), or their full name (first and last name)
- Nationality
- Date of birth
Then, go to the official Kukkiwon website under “Check Poom-Dan”, and enter the information:
http://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/front/eng/main.action
If you cannot find all the details about a person, we can assist you, simply send us an email through our contact form.
Exam Fees (in Belgium)
Exam fees, Kukkiwon diploma fees, and administrative costs may vary depending on the organizer, ranging between:
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Last edited: 12/12/2025
