Separate from the various Taekwondo organizations, there have been two general branches of Taekwondo development: traditional and sport. Traditional Taekwondo typically refers to the martial art as it was established in the 1950s and 1960s. In particular, the names and symbolism of the traditional patterns often refer to elements of Korean history. Sport Taekwondo has evolved in the decades since then and has a somewhat different focus, especially in terms of its emphasis on speed and competition. Traditional Taekwondo tends to emphasize power and self-defense.

Their military training included an extensive weapons program involving swordsmanship and archery, both on horseback and on foot, as well as lessons in military tactics and unarmed combat. The Hwarang set up a military academy for the sons of royalty in Silla called Hwarang-do, which means “the way of flowering manhood.” The guiding principles of the Hwarang warriors were based on Won Gwang’s five codes of human conduct and included loyalty, filial duty, trustworthiness, valor and justice. Taekkyeon was spread throughout Korea because the Hwarang traveled all around the peninsula to learn about the other regions and people.