Taekwondo was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. It was the first time that the sport was included in the Olympic program; it would become an official sport twelve years later at the 2000 Games. A total of 120 men and 62 women from 35 nations competed in eight weight classes. Each event featured a single-elimination tournament to determine the winner. Competition was held at the Changchung Gymnasium from September 17 to 20. Fighters from the host nation of South Korea won nine of the sixteen events.

Men's events

Finweight (–50 kg)

Flyweight (50–54 kg)

Bantamweight (55–58 kg)

Featherweight (58–64 kg)

Lightweight (64–70 kg)

Welterweight (70–76 kg)

Middleweight (76–83 kg)

Heavyweight (+83 kg)

Women's events

Finweight (–43 kg)

Flyweight (43–47 kg)

Bantamweight (47–51 kg)

Featherweight (51–55 kg)

Lightweight (55–60 kg)

Welterweight (60–65 kg)

Middleweight (65–70 kg)

Heavyweight (+70 kg)

Abbreviations

Medals