Strengthening the moral and philosophical foundations of Taekwon-Do through its International Do Courses (IDCs) is a key objective of the ITF. The IDC was created to help practitioners better understand and apply the “Do” — the moral way of Taekwon-Do envisioned by General Choi Hong Hi. More than technical training alone, the IDC program focuses on character development, ethical leadership, and the integration of Taekwon-Do values into everyday life and teaching.
In this spirit, the 18th IDC was held online on 19 April and 3 May 2026 and became the largest online IDC ever organized by the ITF. Conducted in Spanish by the ITF Do and Ethics Committee, the course was led by Master Janel Gauthier, Prof. Dr. (chair) together with GM Abelardo Benzaquén, Master Andreu Martínez, and Master Joliette Trân.
A total of 351 participants from 24 countries attended the course, including Grand Masters, Masters, instructors, assistant instructors, and black belt candidates. The strong international participation reflected the growing worldwide interest in the study and teaching of Do within the ITF community.
A major milestone during this IDC was the first-ever use of Zoom’s live translation caption feature in a Spanish-language IDC. Although the course was conducted entirely in Spanish, this technology helped non-Spanish-speaking participants follow the presentations more effectively and demonstrated the ITF’s commitment to accessibility and global inclusion.
Throughout the twelve hours of instruction divided on two Sundays, participants explored topics such as the moral culture of Taekwon-Do, the meaning of “Do,” the Tenets and Student’s Oath, ethical decision-making, motivation, perseverance, self-control, integrity, and the integration of Do teaching into regular Taekwon-Do classes.
The course combined presentations with interactive learning activities, including quizzes, breakout-room discussions, practical reflection exercises, and group problem-solving tasks. This dynamic format encouraged participants not only to study the principles of Do, but also to reflect on how to apply and teach them effectively inside and outside the dojang.
Since 1 April 2025, participation in at least one IDC is a requirement for ITF members to apply for promotion to 4th degree black belt and above. As interest in these courses continues to grow worldwide, the IDC program is playing an increasingly important role in preserving and transmitting the true spirit and moral culture of Taekwon-Do.
The next online International Do Course will be conducted in English on 1 and 15 November 2026. Further information is available on the official ITF website: ITF International Do Course Events Page.
The full technical report by Master Gauthier is attached below.
Report: 2026 Interclub Match Tournament
