November 15, 2023
Volume VI, Number 1
Grandmaster Doug Cook
& Mary Sudul
From The Editor
Welcome to the May 2022 edition of HOONLYUN, the Journal of the United States Taekwondo Association.
You will find that this is a special super-sized, expanded edition, packed with insightful and valuable information from renowned practitioners and authors. In this issue, we have so much information that the edition is almost 50% bigger than any of our previous installments!
Our feature article in this edition is an interview of Grandmaster George Vitale. Grandmaster Vitale was made an ITF director by General Choi and has traveled the world promoting Taekwondo—so much so that he has become known as the “Ambassador of Taekwondo.”
Also in this edition, you will find an examination of the empirical evidence for Taekwondo spirit, an exploration of the principles of Taekwondo using the scientific method, a discussion of the rare and effective technique of the turning back round kick, and an introduction to the control points as defined by the International Sports Corporation. Additionally, we offer part two to the article on the development of self-confidence through Taekwondo that appeared in our last edition, reflections on teaching Taekwondo during the pandemic, and on the value of learning heirloom Taekwondo poomsae.
Our recipe feature gives instruction for a popular Korean beef dish, the Youth Perspectives column returns to contemplate the wisdom of traditional Taekwondo and our book review for this edition examines a volume of anecdotes from people who lived through imperial Japanʼs occupation of Korea in the first half of the 20th century.
Please contact us if you would like to submit a contribution for future issues of this valuable publication. We here at HOONLYUN hope to continue providing inspiration to keep you on your training path and to widen your Taekwondo horizons.
Best wishes for your continued health and well-being.
Respectfully,
Mary Sudul, 4th dan
Editor-in-Chief
Grandmaster Doug Cook
8th dan, Publisher/Pemako Press
From the Publisher
Welcome to Volume 4/Number 2 of HOONLYUN: The Journal of the United States Taekwondo Association.
Several years ago, I was astonished to receive a telephone call from the Embassy of the Republic of South Korea in Washington, D.C., notifying me that the Korean Ambassador to the United States would be presenting me with a citation for my literary contributions to Taekwondo. The presentation, I was told, would be held at the Korean Cultural Center adjacent to the embassy the following week and would I be able to attend. “Naturally,” I replied. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
During the ceremony attended by roughly one-hundred diplomats and staff, I gazed out at the crowd from the podium and quicky noticed a face standing out from all the rest; my colleague and friend, Grandmaster George Vitale sat prominently in the front row. I was humbled and so very glad that he thought to take the time out a busy schedule and drive down from New York just to witness this important event in my martial arts career.
Grandmaster George Vitale, PhD, and 9th dan in Chang An/ITF Taekwon-Do, is simply ubiquitous. He has circled the globe several times over, generally at his own expense, to promote the legacy of pioneer General Choi Hong Hi and the art of Original ITF Taekwon-Do. He has been the recipient of many awards and citations, and has added conspicuously to the treasure trove of martial arts knowledge through his deep research. A former New York State Trooper, we are honored to have Grandmaster Vitale grace the pages of this edition of HOONLYUN.
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 Damian Adams, James De Carli, Jason Pratt, Stuart Anslow, Richard Conceicao, Kim Gylling, and Brian Parkinson all add to the wealth of martial wisdom and we are thankful to them for contributing. 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 purchase the present issue and seek information in our organization.
And, as always, we pay homage to the memory 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.
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 times: Stay safe. Be well. One breath, one step at a time.
"TO PROMOTE THE
TRADITIONAL AND EVOLVING
ART OF TAEKWONDO"
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
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
HOONLYUN, the Journal of the United States Taekwondo Association, a scholarly
publication devoted to the traditional and evolving art of Taekwondo, invites you to submit articles, artwork, literary pieces, and other worthy contributions. Submissions will be vetted and curated by our editorial staff. Click the Contact button below.
