Australian members of the International HapKiDo, HanKiDo and SunDo Federation, training under Grand Master Hurn-nan Kimm Yong-Sup (10th Dan). Grand Master Hur-nan Kimm Yong-Sup was born in February 1935 in Jeon-Ju Province, recognised as a cultural centre of excellence in Korea. His family home exemplified the essence of Korean culture discipline in all areas of endeavour and a staunch commitment
to human rights. A life devoted to physical fitness, philosophical and intellectual enquiry had begun. By 1977, it was becoming clear that if he wanted the freedom to work towards his broad vision of a peaceful future, he could no longer stay in Korea. A long held fascination for the plants and animals of Australia that became part of the driving force that propelled Master Kimm to uproot his life and migrate to a new home in what he described as a fresh, rich and strangely beautiful land. "As I left Korea in 1977, my father said: ‘As a gift to the Australian people, would you introduce Korean culture and spirit so that they can benefit from new knowledge and experience. Although I was sad to give up my profession as a Biology teacher in Korea, I am happy to have been teaching Korean culture in the form of Hap Ki Do and Sun Do in Australia and overseas for the past 44 years. At the same time I have been working for peace through the Universal Peace Movement,” Grand Master Kimm Said. An internationally respected martial artist, Grand Master Kimm has continued to travel the world since 1980, spreading the message of his Universal Peace Movement by teaching martial arts, working for the reunification of Korea and promoting environmental responsibility. The Universal Peace Movement is a global network that supports local and international causes such as environmental education for children and training His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s bodyguards. A lifetime of commitment to universal peace in action was acknowledged in 2003 by a commendation from the United Nations and in 2004 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the California Union University. Aged 87, Grand Master Kimm is still actively on the path established in his childhood.
