The MOODUKKWAN, translated as "martial virtue gymnasium," was founded on November 9, 1945 in Seoul, Korea, by Hwang Ki. It was one of the five original Kwans which were opened after the liberation from Japan, at the end of World War II. On May 7, 1947, Hwang Ki, Moodukkwan Central Director, dispatched instructors Nam Sam Hyun and Lim Myung Soon to Daejeon (the first branch gymnasium in the country), where they taught Tangsoodo, at the baseball field and yard of the Daejeon's Gwangjang Square, near the railroad depot. From 1950-1953, training was disrupted due to the Korean war.

The Daejeon Moodukkwan reopened in 1954 and the black belt members helped spread Tangsoodo to the military base, in nearby Hoedoek (location of basic training for early Taekwondo instructors being dispatched to Vietnam during the 1960's), and guided the youth around Daejeon Station, while helping to maintain order during the turbulent, post-war times. Additional classes were conducted at the 5th dormitory of the Labor hospital as well as the Chungnam Provincial office. The railroad supply house No. 3 was constructed in 1955 and seniors from the time testified that whether it was raining or snowing, they would fill military bags with sawdust and hang them to train their punching and kicking. This building was disassembled and moved to it's current location on September 25, 2023 and has been preserved in it's original state. It has been designated as a National Historical/Cultural landmark. By 1960, 75% of martial arts students in Korea were from Moodukkwan. After the military revolution of the early 1960's, through continuous development, the nine major Kwans (5 original and 4 post Korean War) were integrated into the newly formed "Korea Taekwondo Association." Founder/Central Director Hwang Ki chose to rescind his initial decision to join, causing the Board of Directors to carry out a vote. The overwhelming majority elected for Moodukkwan to unite with the other eight Kwan under aforementioned "KTA." The next Director of Moodukkwan of Taekwondo was Lee Kang Ik, followed by Hong Chong Soo, Kim In Seok and Choi Nam Do. 

In 1978, a "Unification Proclamation" was signed by the Directors of all nine Kwan (plus a 10th administrative Kwan) whereby they were absorbed by the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters). Once Kukkiwon assumed sole authority to issue dan rank in Korea, the Kwan gymnasiums, including Moodukkwan, remained dormant for many years, as the primary focus was the introduction of Taekwondo into the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Thereafter, several unofficial Moodukkwan groups were formed both in Korea and abroad.

In 2021, the "Moodukkwan Headquarters Preservation Association" held its inaugural general meeting at Muye Village, located in Hyeondo-do, Seowon-gu, Cheongju-si, with the participation of Moodukkwan seniors, officials, and representatives of 17 cities and provinces from across the country. The purpose of this meeting was to restore the unity of Director Hwang Ki, the founder of Moodukkwan and to recognize the successors of original Moodukkwan masters. In addition, by solidifying it's historical status as the second oldest original gymnasium of Moodukkwan (1947) and enhancing it's legitimacy as the World Moodukkwan Headquarters in the Republic of Korea, it was launched as an organization that serves to secure the momentum for the establishment of a global Moodukkwan community and sustainable development as an intangible cultural heritage of Korean historical martial arts. Dr. Oh No Gyun was unanimously elected as Central Chairman of Taekwondo Moodukkwan and the World Taekwondo Moodukkwan Headquarters.

After forming the central organization with 17 municipal and provincial associations, the "Moodukkkwan Central Succession Association" set out to promote the "World Taekwondo Culture Festival," including the "International Taekwondo Olympiad," with the intention of focusing on the approval of international branches in which each nation participates, securing substantial members through traditional training.

From its founding to the present day, Moodukkwan has been passed down from generation to generation, constantly reinventing itself and developing into the representative culture of modern Korea. It is of great significance in that it finds the origins of Soobahk, Tangsoodo, and Taekwondo, which have contributed greatly to the martial arts enjoyed by mankind and creates a traditional organization that contributes to the continuous development of Moodukkwan.

Regardless of style, the early Moodukkwan eventually laid the foundation for the global spread of Taekwondo, Tangsoodo and Soobahkdo, which is now practiced by over 100 million people in 211 countries. The Daejeon Moodukkwan training facility is older than the Kukkiwon-World Taekwondo Headquarters by 25 years. 

As such, it was determined that the modest railroad storage facility near Daejeon Station, be officially declared the World Taekwondo Moodukkwan Headquarters. The name Taekwondo, being used as a generic term, meant to include Tangsoodo and Soobahkdo as well. At a ceremony during the Moodukkwan 79th anniversary, the title was officially established with documentation from the Korean government, proclaiming the status of National Historic/Cultural Landmark.

The current Central Director, Dr. Oh No Kyun states, "We have gathered again, under the laurel flag, a symbol of peace, on this sole remaining training ground. I hope that this railroad supply warehouse will become a valuable place to experience the early days of Taekwondo/Tangsoodo's history and overcoming difficulties. We pledge to honor and carry forward the pure and noble spirit of the pioneering Moodukkwan masters, and designate this place as the World Headquarters of the Moodukkwan, regardless of style."