Juche Pattern

Juche is a 2nd degree black belt pattern (2nd dan) containing 45 movements. It is an advanced, highly dynamic tul that demands strong balance, sharp direction changes and confident use of both hands and feet. This page includes some sample videos of Master Mark Trotter correcting aspects of the pattern.

Sample Video 1

Above is our first sample video where Master Trotter gives hints of the jumping aspects of the pattern. It is intended as a visual reference for 2nd dan students working on timing, balance and accurate execution of the pattern.

About Juche

Juche is a philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything. In other words, it expresses the concept that a person is the master of the world and of their own destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain, which symbolises the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram of the pattern represents Baekdu Mountain.

Key Technical Features

Juche contains several technical features that challenge even experienced black belts:

• Frequent changes of direction that require clear control of the line of movement.
• Slow motion side piercing and reverse hooking kicks.
• Flying mid-air strikes and dodging reverse turning kicks.
• A two direction kick, requireming a flying side piercing kick with the right leg at the same time as a twisting kick with the left.

Key Teaching Points

• Remind your students that there are perhaps five difficult movements in this pattern. The remaining forty are easy enough to do, so don’t be discouraged.
• Break all the kicks down when teaching by using partners, walls, pads and bags to help with balance until the student improves.

Training Suggestions

• Break the pattern into short sections and repeat each one until you can perform it smoothly without pausing to think about the next movement.
• Use video to check your direction changes. The feet should always return to the correct line of travel.

Full Juche Breakdown (Premium)

The full Juche breakdown class is available to TKDCoaching Premium Members. It includes in-depth coaching points, corrections, common mistakes and teaching methods for instructors working with advanced black belts.

👉 Watch the full Juche breakdown video (Premium)

Juche Background & Interesting Details

• Juche was introduced in 1984 to replace the earlier pattern Ko-Dang in the official ITF syllabus. Some organisations still practise Ko-Dang instead of Juche.
• For my 5th degree black belt grading in 1993 I thought it would be a cool idea to perform Juche Tul forwards then backwards for General Choi. The plan failed miserably as I started the backwards part… I hadn’t even considered the possibility that General Choi would take offence to it.

  He turned his head and refused to watch. I figured… well… I may as well carry on now and struggled through to the end. I passed the grading so I guess the General had forgiven me by the day the results were announced.

  Here is the footage of the pattern at the grading

Frequently Asked Questions about Juche

How many movements are in Juche?
Juche has 45 movements.

What grade learns Juche?
Juche is required for practitioners training at 2nd dan level (2nd degree black belt).

What does the name Juche mean?
Juche expresses the idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything, including their own destiny.

What does the Juche diagram represent?
The diagram represents Baekdu Mountain, symbolising the spirit and resilience of the Korean people.

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Sample Video 2

Below is our second sample clip from the full Juche video. Master Trotter works of the pivoting and trajectory of the slow motion reverse hooking kicks – one of the most difficult techniques in the pattern