Grandmaster Doug Cook

8th dan, Publisher/Pemako Press

From the Publisher

Welcome to Volume 5/Number 2 of HOONLYUN: The Journal of the United States Taekwondo Alliance.

Yes, you read correctly: the United States Taekwondo Alliance, rather than Association. We are re-branding, introducing a new name and logo. Why, you may ask, fix something that is working well as it is? After five years of dynamic growth, exclusively reorganizing and reshaping the USTA at the behest of Chun Kwanjangnim before his death, the Chun family has chosen to retire the original trademarked name, tucking it away, just as the numbers of famous sports figures are retired upon their passing. It is an emotional, yet understandable decision. We are thankful for the continued and vigorous support of Mrs. Chun as we move ahead into the future with this endeavor. Naturally, we will maintain our original mission, comprehensive curriculum, and high standards. We will continue promoting the legacy of Grandmaster Richard Chun, while actively inserting our own contributions into the great chain of martial wisdom. This will be accomplished communally through mutual training seminars, online and in-dojang instruction, expeditions to Korea, and, academically, on the pages of this periodical.

Looking back over the past nine issues, we have had the privilege of spotlighting some of the art’s greatest legends. This edition is no different. Through the memories of California-based Grandmaster Jon Wiedenman, the contributions of his teacher, Chang Moo Kwan co-founder, Grandmaster Nam Suk Lee, springs to life. In this comprehensive article, connections to Byung In Yoon and his YMCA Kwon Bop Bu—one of the original five kwans—are established, as is Grandmaster Lee’s philosophical principles including practice of the Eight Principles of Chang Moo Kwan.

But this publication, issued twice a year, is not about any one individual; it is a representation of the academic and technical knowledge offered up by the collective efforts of the global Taekwondo community at large, unhindered by paid commercial advertising, relying instead for its survival through the dollars of its readers. Articles by Dr. John Johnson PhD, James De Carli, Michele Radakovits, Alberto Borjas, Jean Bailly-Orlovsky, Russell Kassner, and Pamela Pyke, add to the existing wealth of martial knowledge. We are sincerely thankful for their editorial contributions. 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 hard-copy magazine can be purchased.

Thank you for your continued support of HOONLYUN. With your help we look forward to disseminating the multitude of perspectives that define Taekwondo, in tandem with the rich heritage of Korea, for many years to come.

To all our readers, members, and fellow practitioners, stay safe and be well.

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES TAEKWONDO ALLIANCE

The United States Taekwondo Alliance was founded in 2023 by Grandmaster Doug Cook, 8th 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
Michele Radakovits, VP Administration
Master Tessin Bozard, VP Dojang Relations
Master Mary Sudul, Editor-in-Chief, HOONLYUN
Master Harold Pyke III, Administrator, HOONLYUN
Gary Schuster, Esq., Legal Counsel