It is with great regret that I inform you of the passing of Master Myung, Kwan Sik 10th Dan and founder of the World Hapkido Federation (WHF). Master Myung died Sunday 7/19/09. I have no further details regarding his passing.
Myung Kwang-Sik was born in North Korea but lived in Seoul for most of his early life. Master Myung began his study of Hapkido with Ji Han Jae in Seoul, Korea in 1957 at the age of 16. Master Myung later received lessons from Choi Yong-Sul, who he considered his teacher.
In 1967 the Sung Mu Kwan of the Korean Hapkido Association sent 15 members of demonstration teams, including Myung, to Vietnam to demonstrate their art and to teach Korean, US, and Vietnamese troops as well as Special Forces.
By 1968, Myung published a 254-page, Korean-language book, “Hapkido,”. This was later followed by the first major Hapkido book in English, "Hapkido - Art of Masters" (October, 1976). Master Myung was not just a pioneer of using books to spread Hapkido, he was also one of the first to use vidoe tapes to assist in teaching.
He was a major force in the growth of Hapkido in the United States and Mexico and his passing will be felt by the entire Hapkido world. Our condolences to his family, friends and students.
