Min-Woo Jeon, renowned poomsae coach and key figure in Taekwondo worldwide, has been appointed professor at the prestigious Kyung Hee University in Suwon, South Korea. With an outstanding track record as coach of the university’s poomsae team and numerous contributions to the South Korean national team, Jeon’s appointment confirms his commitment to the development of the sport at both the academic and competitive levels. His vast experience and innovative approach promise to take the university team to new levels of excellence, cementing Kyung Hee as a global benchmark in Taekwondo.
Congratulations on your new appointment as a professor at Kyung Hee University. what does this new role mean to you and how do you plan to contribute to the development of the university poomsae team?
I am incredibly honored by this appointment, particularly because Kyung Hee University holds a special place in my heart. I completed my bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. here, and it’s renowned as one of the top institutions in Taekwondo major. Having been a high-performance poomsae athlete at Kyung Hee and later serving as both coach and head coach of the prestigious university poomsae team, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of poomsae firsthand. Now, as a professor in the Department of Taekwondo, I aim to contribute both academically and practically by conducting research that addresses the needs of the field while helping to shape the next generation of well-rounded Taekwondo instructors and coaches.
With your extensive experience coaching the South Korean national team, what learnings will you bring to your work with the Kyung Hee varsity team?
Coaching the Korean National Team was a tremendous learning experience. Working with some of the best athletes in the country required in-depth study and research, which allowed me to develop specialized coaching methods. I’m excited to bring those methods and insights to my students at Kyung Hee University, helping them refine their skills and pushing them to reach their highest potential.
Poomsae has grown in popularity globally. What role do you think universities, such as Kyung Hee, can play in the growth and evolution of this discipline?
Many universities in Korea, including Kyung Hee, offer Taekwondo as a major, and I believe that university poomsae teams should be further popularized, with athletes given more opportunities to shine. We need greater corporate sponsorship to support these teams. University athletes, both in recognized and freestyle poomsae, represent the highest level of performance, and by increasing their exposure in the media, we can promote Taekwondo and help it reach an even broader audience, potentially leading to its further international dissemination.
What values do you consider fundamental to the development of the students and athletes under your guidance, both athletically and personally?
Diligence is the cornerstone of success, in my point of view. The most successful athletes share a common characteristic, they work incredibly hard and are exceptionally disciplined in their self-care. Trust between athlete and coach is also crucial; athletes who trust their coaches often see better results. Hardworking athletes tend to have strong character, and even if they face setbacks, their perseverance and good character usually allow them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals in the long run.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for poomsae in Korea and internationally, and how do you hope to influence its evolution through your work at the university?
I believe the global Taekwondo community should work toward getting poomsae included in the Olympic Games. To achieve this, we need to spread effective teaching methods to countries where poomsae competition isn’t as widely developed yet. This includes expanding research and education on recognized poomsae, freestyle poomsae, and demonstration techniques, as well as the terminology and teaching methods associated with these disciplines. It would be beneficial for Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo to focus more attention on these areas, especially in refining competition rules and techniques, particularly in freestyle poomsae.
Kyung Hee University regularly welcomes athletes from around the world, and just this summer, we had athletes from 10 different countries train with us. I hope their experience was both beneficial and inspiring. Moving forward, I plan to contribute to the university’s research efforts in sports physiology and psychology related to poomsae competition so that we can develop more scientific training and coaching methods, helping to further evolve the discipline both here and internationally.
