In the Korean alphabet hangeul , í ( è ) signifies `` to strike with the foot '' ; ê ( æ ) to `` strike with the hand '' ; and ë ( é `` ) signifies `` way '' , `` road '' or `` route '' . Taekwondo ( í ê ë ; è æ é `` ; ) is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea . In Korean , tae ( í , ) means `` to strike or break with foot '' ; kwon ( ê , ) means `` to strike or break with fist '' ; and do ( ë , ) means `` way , '' `` method , '' or `` art . ''