The Tae Kwon Do of today is the modern product of martial arts and folk games developed over many centuries in Korea.  While there is no doubt the three main East Asian countries of Korea, China and Japan all had their own indigenous martial arts, it is also quite likely that they shared much of their martial cultures with each other while maintaining the distinct flavor of their own country's culture.  Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art involving kicking, blocking and striking and has truly transcended the place of it's birth and become one of the most popular martial arts in the world.