What’s The Difference Between Karate & Tae Kwon Do? (Part 1) Taekwondo, Karate, Shotokan karate
Taekwondo emphasizes kicking techniques, while Karate focuses on hand strikes. Taekwondo originated in Korea. Karate originated in Okinawa, Japan. Taekwondo is an Olympic sport. The specific postures, stances, and movements differ significantly between Taekwondo and Karate. It should be noted that although taekwondo (also known as tae kwon do.