태권도 진흥재단, 중남미 태권도 진흥 및 보급에 앞장서다<br /><br />In February this year,… Honduras became the first Latin American country to add taekwondo to its public elementary school curriculum. <br />The project is now looking to become an exemplary model for other countries as well. <br />Won Jung-hwan reports. <br />Taekwondo hopefuls at this level test in Honduras smash wooden blocks and perform a self-defense martial art display in front of officials at Jose Maria Casco Elementary School in the Honduran capital. <br />The taekwondo masters praise their efforts,... and as a reward, the young students receive yellow belts,... to show they are ready to move to the next level. <br />These students are among the 1-thousand-8-hundred beneficiaries of the regular taekwondo classes,... which have taken place once or twice each week since February at some 15 elementary schools in Honduras. <br />The taekwondo education at the Honduran public schools is mandatory,... and is taught to let the students know that taekwondo is more than just a sport. <br />"Taekwondo is a martial art and is one of the Olympic sports. We do not teach martial arts to teach how to fight,… we value the mental discipline." <br />Four months since launching in Honduras,... the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation is already looking to expand into other schools or even to other Latin American countries. But more support is needed. <br />"Unfortunately now, there is still shortage of taekwondo masters to expand the taekwondo curriculum further within the country,… but some day we hope the martial art can expand further."<br />It will take time, but if the efforts in Honduras can have a positive effect on the country,... there is no doubt that more countries in Latin America will follow in its footsteps. <br />Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News. <br />
