Grandmaster Doug Cook

8th dan, Publisher/Pemako Press

From the Publisher

Welcome to Volume 5/Number 1 of HOONLYUN: The Journal of the United States Taekwondo Alliance. 

Before anything else, this is perhaps our most challenging issue to date—not because of its complex literary content or the logistics involved in organizing such a publication. But because a human heart has been broken; a tragedy that cannot be addressed by meeting deadlines, page layout, or editorial skills. Only now is our most capable editor-in-chief, Master Mary Sudul, taking her first, painful steps in the healing process that accompanies the sudden, untimely loss of one deeply loved. Mary is a warrior-woman in its truest sense. She has the eyes of a lion and the heart of a lamb. She will need every martial skill she has ever absorbed over the course of her taekwondo training to endure the coming months and beyond. But, she will. One breath, one step, one kick, one strike at a time. This issue is dedicated to her.

Now, on to more mundane topics.

We at HOONLYUN have been fortunate beyond measure to have enjoyed the honor of featuring interviews with many of the great legends of taekwondo and the Korean martial arts. This issue is no different. Here, the life and times of Grandmaster He Young Kimm—renowned martial artist, teacher, scholar, and author—is revealed for our readers through an in-depth interview conducted by Master David Higgs. Unwavering respect, devotion, and often-misunderstood subservience are rare commodities these days. Yet these attributes are precisely what is required for a martial artist—of whatever discipline—to be considered a disciple by their teacher as is the case with Master Higgs, Grandmaster Shipp, and others like Grandmaster Philip Ameris. Discipleship is a hard-earned privilege reserved for an elite few; certainly not a right as we shall see in the articles contained within.

Moreover, this month, we recognize the fifth anniversary of the passing of a yet another legend: 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. Yet in order to promote the legacy of Chun Kwanjangnim, his disciples must remain firm by preserving his philosophy and technical skills, uncorrupted.

But this periodical, published 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, unhindered by paid commercial advertising, relying instead for its survival through the dollars of its readers. Articles by leading martial arts scholars add to the wealth of martial wisdom and we are thankful to them for contributing. 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 they may purchase the current issue, past issues, and seek information about the USTA and how to submit articles for future publication.

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 members and fellow practitioners in these most trying of health, political, and financial times: Stay safe. Be well. Support traditional taekwondo, your dojangs, your seniors, juniors, and your teachers well.

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES TAEKWONDO ALLIANCE

Since its establishment in 1980, the United States Taekwondo Alliance 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 Tessin Bozard, VP Dojang Relations

Master Kim Gylling, VP European Affairs

Mark Damia, VP Information Technology

Master Harold Pyke III, VP Marketing

Gary Schuster, Legal Counsel