Grandmaster Doug Cook

8th dan, Publisher/Pemako Press

From the Publisher

Welcome to Volume 4/Number 1 of HOONLYUN: The Journal of the United States Taekwondo Association.

As the days and years fade into the past, we in the martial arts are losing our mentors. Second and third generation masters and grandmasters, purveyors of authentic wisdom, are falling prey to the vagaries of age and illness. And, while death is unavoidable, it is also a fact that the eccentricities, singular characteristics and physical capabilities of these great men—and almost all are—have vanished along with them. Over the past twenty years, we have grieved the loss of General Choi Hong Hee, Hwang Kee, Son Duk Sung, Rhin Moon Richard Chun, Sijak Henry Cho, and, most recently, Kim Bok Man—illustrious leaders all. Fortunately, their passing has given rise to disciples—true martial artists of impeccable pedigree—who are devoted to carrying the legacies of their teachers forward.

By way of example, this issue contains a treasure trove of information regarding the life and times of the late Supreme Grandmaster Kim Bok Man authored by Grandmaster Brad Shipp, successor and president of Chun Kuhn Do, the unique form of Taekwondo founded by Supreme Grandmaster Kim. Shipp Kwanjangnim is a superlative example of the martial arts and a disciple in its truest sense.

And, sadly, once again we recognize yet another anniversary of the passing of Grandmaster Rhin Moon Richard Chun, founder of the United States Taekwondo Association and teacher to thousands of black belts worldwide. He remains an inspiration and the template against which all USTA members rate their achievements in the martial arts.

But, this bi-annual periodical 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, unhindered by paid commercial advertising, relying instead for its survival through the dollars of its readers. Please alert your colleagues to its existence and invite them to visit our web sites at

www.hoonlyun.com and www.ustaweb.com where they can find information on past, present, and future issues and membership in our organization.

Sadly, as this journal goes to print, the world continues to suffer from a truly seismic event in human history—a global pandemic the likes of which have not been witnessed for over a century. Aside from its human toll, the microscopic monster at the heart of this crisis has cast a long, dark shadow on every business imaginable. None are immune including those of us who teach Taekwondo professionally and operate our own dojangs. The question is: how many will survive? Clearly, all will suffer and more than a few are likely to fade from existence. Feeling that martial arts practice, particularly in the 21st century, is of singular value, we at the United States Taekwondo Association are doing everything within our power—morning, noon, and night—to fortify ourselves and our members for the future, in-dojang and online.

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

To all our members and fellow practitioners: Stay safe. Be well. One breath, one step at a time.

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES TAEKWONDO ASSOCIATION

Since its establishment in 1980, the United States Taekwondo Association was diligently overseen by its founder, Grandmaster Richard Chun, 9th dan black belt and one of the highest ranking master instructors within the borders of the United States. Shortly before his passing in November 2017, Grandmaster Chun appointed Grandmaster Doug Cook as his sole successor in leading the organization forward. During Grandmaster Chun’s tenure, Taekwondo dojangs across the country and around the world flocked to affiliate with the USTA based on its primary mission: to promote the traditional and evolving art of Taekwondo.

Sensing the encroachment of sport over art in Taekwondo early on, Grandmaster Chun chose to steer the USTA in a direction that many of the original kwans, or institutes, took during the formative years of the discipline, not the least being his root school—the Moo Duk Kwan, or Institute of Martial Virtue. Subsequently, the USTA curriculum is intended to support and enhance basic technique, self-defense skills, character enrichment, physical fitness, and, most urgently, poomsae, or formal exercise practice.

Today, under the direction of Grandmaster Cook, the mission of the USTA, while eager to recognize innovation, remains steadfast in its quest to preserve the rich traditions of Taekwondo as intended by its founder and forefathers.

USTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Grandmaster Doug Cook, President/CEO

Patricia Cook, CFO

Grandmaster Pablo Alejandro, Chairman, Technical Committee

Master Cheryl Crouchen, VP Dojang Relations

Master Kim Gylling, VP European Affairs

Mark Damia, VP Information Technology

Master Harold Pyke III, VP Marketing

Gary Schuster, Legal Counsel