[1] The ITF was founded to promote and encourage the growth of the Korean martial art of taekwon-do.

[2][3][4][5] The ITF's main functions include coordinating and approving tournaments and seminars, setting standards for teaching (patterns, sparring, destruction), collaborating with affiliated member organizations, and providing services members in regard to rank and certifications.

After Choi's death in 2002, there was controversy around the election of his successor that led to multiple organizations claiming the ITF mantle.

Patterns, or tul (틀) in Korean, originally called hyeong (형), form an important aspect of training in taekwon-do.

This ensures that the practitioners' stances are the correct length, width, and in the proper direction.

Additionally, students are taught to understand the purpose of each movement and recognize how each motion connects to theories of power.

One additional pattern, Ko-Dang (or Go-Dang), was retired/replaced by Juche in 1986 by General Choi Hong Hi.

There is also the book entitled "The Korean Art of Self Defense" (the 1999 edition, the latest used by ITF under Chang Ung), also known as the Condensed Encyclopedia, written by General Choi Hong Hi.

This is a single condensed encyclopedia of approximately 770 pages with a section dedicated to the 24 original patterns.

Full-force blows are not allowed, and knockouts result in a disqualification of the attacker; although these rules vary between ITF organizations.

[11] The ITF ranking system consists of six solid colour belts; white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black.

9th degree (being the highest) can only be awarded when the special committee examines and reaches a unanimous consent.

[15] Once Choi Hong Hi was exiled out of South Korea, he established the new headquarters of the ITF in Vienna, Austria and the organization settled there.