05/12/2025
It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Grandmaster Koang Woong Kim. Grandmaster Kim founded US Taekwondo Academy in 1978, then called Kim’s Temple. Grandmaster Kim dedicated his life to martial arts, he trained in Judo and boxing prior to his focus on Taekwondo. He is a military veteran serving with the Korean Army during the Vietnam War where he trained both Korean and U.S. Green Berets in hand to hand combat.
Grandmaster Kim served as the referee chairman for the U.S. Taekwondo Union, now known as USA Taekwondo. He was a member and chairman for the World Taekwondo Federation (WT) technical committee.
Grandmaster was a pioneer of Taekwondo in the United States. His influence both directly and indirectly created national, international, world, and Olympic champions and medalists.
Grandmaster Kim will be missed greatly by all those whose lives he has touched. Our deepest sympathy goes to his family, students, friends, and community.
All US Taekwondo Academy locations will be closed beginning Wednesday May 14th and will reopen on Monday May 19th to honor and celebrate the life of Grandmaster Kim.
Service Information
Grandmaster Koang Woong Kim will be honored with a visitation at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, WI, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
His funeral service will take place at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kenosha, WI, on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a procession to St. James Catholic Cemetery in Kenosha, WI, for interment.
