What is Korea's national sport?

Korea's national sport is Tae Kwon Do, a martial art that emphasizes head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast footwork. It is not only a significant part of Korean culture but has also gained international recognition and is practiced globally. This martial art originated in Korea in the 1940s and 1950s and has evolved into a modern sport that combines both self-defense techniques and a competitive sport format. Tae Kwon Do was also included as an official Olympic sport in the 2000 Sydney Games, further solidifying its status and recognition worldwide.

The other options, while they may be martial arts from Asia, do not represent Korea's national sport. Judo, Hapkido, and Karate each have their own distinct origins and cultural significance, with Judo being a Japanese martial art, Hapkido also being a Korean martial art but not officially recognized as the national sport, and Karate being a Japanese martial art. The prominence of Tae Kwon Do as a national sport aligns with Korea’s identity and historical development in martial arts.