We endeavor to challenge our physical limits for thefuture of the martial arts.Our federation in Seoul has the highest Dan holders alive(Pin # 2 and 3). Visit our federation today and see the value of tradition! A BRIEF HISTORY OF KOREAN MARTIAL ARTS
Koreans have lived in the country we now know as Korea for approximately 5000 years as a monoracial society. The arts indigenous to the region were fa
r more than simple physical training or a set of fighting skills. Through Nae Gong (mental training) a lot of focus was put on developing one's spirit so as to help the nation's spirit. There were constant battles over territory (three provinces which now make up the Manchu region in China) between Kogureo (Korea) and China. Obviously the development of a wide array of martial skills was inevitable to protect the people and the nation itself. For well over a thousand years the nations of Kogureo, Baek-jae, Shilla, and then Koreo saw the slow systemization and development of martial disciplines. These arts were unique in that they were strongly immersed in internal power and the spiritual energies known as Ki (In Chinese, Chi). The development of high levels of energy later was expressed as Do. Centuries later in contemporary Korea, the neoclassical martial art of Tang Soo Do was created. This became Hwa Soo Do, which in turn became Soo Bahk Do. These lead to the development of the modern sport we know as Tae Kwon Do. So in reality, Tang Soo Do is a rebirth of 1000 years of spiritual history and is one of Korea's eternal cultural symbols. HISTORY OF KOREAN ART OF TANG SOO DO
Grandmaster Hwang Kee studied ancient Korean martial arts in the Manchu province in modern day China. After Korea gained independence from Japan at the end of WW II he returned to Korea and started to promote martial arts along with others who studied arts in Japan, Korea, etc. Over time, almost all the martial arts community felt there was a limit to the amount of public interest in what they had to offer. There was a crisis and push to promote Korean martial arts. A decision was made to change the focus of traditional arts to sports. They established an organization called Tae Kwon Do. Grandmaster Hwang Kee however just followed his own path. This was the path of traditional martial arts so as to preserve 100 years of history. That is the history of what the Western world came to know as Korean Karate. MOO DUK KWAN | KOREA MOO DUK KWAN | MOO DUK WON
As stated previously, GM Hwang Kee studied traditional martial arts in the Manchuria (original Koguryo) of China as he was employed by the Manchu railway company at that time. After WWII he returned to his homeland and, along with others of like mind, began to teach Tang Soo Do or Kong Soo Do. As there were various arts using the same name, additional titles were added. There were five Kwon's in total. His was known as Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan. Later it became known as Hwa Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan. This developed into Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan. As the name changed, the hyung's (prearranged patterns) changed as well. These new hyung's were promoted as the new forms of Soo Bahk Do for international purposes mainly. Tragically our founder passed away in 2002. Before he passed on he ignored his original group of protégé's and handed control of his art of Soo Bahk Do to his son. This disrupted the harmony originally established and nurtured by him in the past. His older generation of students (ranging from age 80 to 89) established a corporation, the World Moo Duk Kwan General Federation, with the permission of the Korean government. Under this federation were two other groups. The Korea Moo Duk Kwan was put in charge of technical instruction and the issuance of dans (black belts). The second, Moo Duk Kwan, took charge of seminars and looking after the affairs of senior members. To this day the two teach previously unseen techniques and develop new techniques to bring Tang Soo Do into the 21stcentury. WORLD TANG SOO DO GENERAL FEDERATION – NOW AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Currently there is an academy and office located in the heart of Seoul. GM Kim Yong-Duk (age 83) and GM Choi Hee-Suk (age 88) are not only the oldest practicing martial artists in the nation, but the highest ranked. They still actively teach Bee-Jah-Ho (a previously unknown hyung), 6 other advanced hyung's and 4 other new forms. If you are already a black belt in a legitimate martial art system, you may be eligible to receive the equivalent rank in our federation. If you are 4thdan or below, you simply need to be recommended by the director for your region to qualify. 5thdan masters and above need to be tested under the guide lines of our Most of the MDK practitioners so far have been equipped with time-proven skills through the training on and on. However, to be the 6th, 7th, 8th or even 9th Dan Grandmaster, where do you think you can be qualified?international constitution. Korea got the solution. A few of the living legend Great Grandmaster Hwang Kee's the first generation disciples are still instructing Masters from all over the world. Visit Korea MDK in Seoul or our website http://www.moodukwonkorea.org. "Big Road Has No Barrier" (大道無門)
Thank You. GREETING FROM PRESIDENT
I’m very honored to be appointed as President of The World Tang Soo Do General Federation – Moo Duk Kwan, succeeding a galaxy of seniors. I started Kong Soo Do in 1953, then later changed to Tang Soo Do shortly after that. Since then I’ve strived to keep the identity of the art and deliver its tradition to our juniors for the last 63 years. Tae Kwon Do, which is rooted in Tang Soo Do, has become a global sport with total support of the South Korean government. Meanwhile Tang Soo Do has kept traditional. I have served as General Secretary from the formation of this federation till now. It was my goal to establish a more martial version of the Kukkiwon, along with an international film museum of martial artists. Tang Soo Do has changed a lot over the years so our headquarters does its best to keep up with the times as developing the spiritual element. Our federation is having a kind of rebirth so we can truly by an organization that is run by the members for the members. To achieve these goals I need your cooperation, your passion and your commitment. I want you to train Tang Soo Do not just for yourself but for your juniors so it can develop further. Thank you. President
Koe Woong Choung
10th Dan Black Belt of Tang Soo Do
