The genesis of the martial art can be traced back to the mid-20th century. It emerged from a synthesis of various Korean martial arts traditions, influenced by Japanese karate and Chinese martial arts, following the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945.
The establishment of a unified style became a priority to promote national identity and pride after a period of foreign occupation. The standardization process involved key figures from different martial arts schools, each contributing their expertise to consolidate the different styles. By the 1950s, the groundwork for a singular discipline was well underway.