Grandmaster Doug Cook

9th dan, Publisher/Pemako Press

From the Publisher

Welcome to Volume VIII/No. 2 of HOONLYUN: The Journal of the United States Taekwondo

Alliance.

One of our principal goals at HOONLYUN has been to provide enlightening and provocative

interviews, introducing our readers to notable personalities who have significantly

influenced the art of Taekwondo, locally and around the world. Across the past fifteen

issues, we have been fortunate indeed to capture scholarly gems of wisdom, freely given,

by those who have dedicated their lives to making our art a more worthy pursuit. This issue

is no different. I have had the privilege of knowing Master Byung Chul Ahn—this issue’s

featured martial artist—since first we met in Seoul during a mutual training session in 2004.

Since then, we have made the journey to his International Kumgang Taekwondo Center an

essential component of our many CHOSUN/USTA martial pilgrimages to the Land of the

Morning Calm. His relative youth, business acumen, enthusiasm, and technical prowess, is

infectious and leaves those who engage with him richer for the experience.

Aside from our conversation with Master Ahn, in this, our first offering for 2026, we are

pleased to feature in-depth articles authored by practitioners inside and outside of our

organization in an effort to present differing views as they relate to taekwondo. This edition’s

authors include Ørjan Nilsen sharing his research on the “endangered” hyung, or forms of

the primordial kwans; Zen priest and practitioner Jacob Gendelman discussing mindful

meditation; a piece by Master Michele Radakovits examining Chintae hyung, and insightful

thoughts on Taekwondo by USTA-member Steven Stemler, Ph.D.

But perhaps the greatest surprise in our Korean Culture section, will be an introduction

the Haenyeo (sea-women) of Jeju Island, by Patty Cook. And, rather than centering on one

particular publication in our Book Review, we have chosen to provide our readers with a

reading list of time-honored tomes.

Nevertheless, this journal, released twice a year, and available now in both hard-copy and

digital formats, is not about any one individual; it is a representation of the academic and

technical resources offered up by the collective efforts of devoted martial artists at large,

unhindered by paid commercial advertising, relying instead for its survival through the

dollars and support of its readers. If you feel that this beautifully-edited, full-color periodical

is of value, please alert your colleagues to the existence of HOONLYUN and invite them to

visit our web sites at www.hoonlyun.com and www.ustaweb.com where this edition and past

issues may be purchased.

To all our readers, on my behalf and that of my late teacher and founder of the USTA,

Grandmaster Rhin Moon Richard Chun, stay safe, be well, and train hard.

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES TAEKWONDO ALLIANCE

The United States Taekwondo Alliance was founded in 2023 by Grandmaster Doug Cook, 9th Dan, and a senior student of the late Grandmaster Rhin Moon Richard Chun. As successor to the United States Taekwondo Association established in 1980 by Grandmaster Chun, the mission of the United States Taekwondo Alliance is to promote excellence in the traditional and evolving art of Taekwondo. While continuing to promote the legacy of Chun Kwanjangnim, the organization actively inserts its own contributions into the great chain of martial wisdom, focusing on the art of Taekwondo rather than the sport, consciously viewing the discipline as a Way of Life.

With affiliate schools across America, the USTA faithfully maintains traditional technique and Korean martial arts doctrine by hosting educational seminars, online and in-dojang classes, a comprehensive standardized curriculum, certification across a number of levels, cultural and training tours to Korea, and through HOONLYUN: The Journal of the United States Taekwondo Alliance (www.hoonlyun.com).

Numerous benefits are available to USTA individual members and affiliate schools, including:

• A Standardized, Traditional Taekwondo Curriculum
• Rank Certification
• Instructor Certification
• School Affiliation
• KUKKIWON certification
• Instructor and Master Training
• Special Seminars
• Competition Team
• Inclusion in Our National Registry
• Joint-Marketing Opportunities
• Authorized Use of USTA-Branded Merchandise

USTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Grandmaster Doug Cook, President/CEO
Patricia Cook, CFO
Grandmaster Pablo Alejandro, VP Technical Committee
Master Michele Radakovits, Executive VP Administration
Master Tessin Bozard, VP Dojang Relations
Jennifer Paleczny, Assistant VP
Master Mary Sudul, Editor-in-Chief, HOONLYUN
Master Harold Pyke III, Administrator, HOONLYUN
Gary Schuster, Esq., Legal Counsel