Moorim Hapkido Martial Arts Centre Black Belt Examination

Master Master Shin, Jae Hwan of the Moorim Hapkido Martial Arts Center in Howick, Acukland, New Zealand recently held the schools first black belt examination. The school has been open for a little over two and a half years and is proving to be very successful.

During the examination thirteen students tested for their Dan rank, of these students eight successfully passed the exam and are now Korea Hapkido Federation certified black belts. During the test Master jenny performed a womens self defense demonstration while Instructor Andy excited the spectators with a nunchuck exhibition.

Master Shin is determined to spread authentic KHF style Hapkido throughout New Zealand and has been very impressed with the desire and effort he has witnessed from his students. "The people of New Zealand are very keen to learn Hapkido as well as Korean culture. They are very enthusiastic about learning authentic Hapkido".

If anyone is interested in learning KHF style Hapkido in New Zealand, please contact Master Shin at Moorim Hapkido Martial Arts Centre, Unit B 239 Moore Street, Howick Auckland, New Zealand. You can call Master Shin at (09) 537-0450.

The Passing of Master Myung, Kwan Sik

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.

Korea Hapkido Federation Podcast is announced

The Korea Hapkido Federation will produce a series of podcasts designed to provide factual information pertaining to the KHF and Hapkido in general. The series will be hosted by Kevin Donohue. These podcasts will address the growing demand for information regarding Hapkido and the Korea Hapkido Federation in North America and internationally. The show will feature:

• Interviews with leading masters in Korea and North America. We will provide a biography on these individuals and have them address issues facing Hapkido and their plans for the future.
• Interviews with KHF officials to discuss changes in the federations policies and their strategic plans to foster the development of Hapkido worldwide.
• Hapkido product reviews including training aids, uniforms, books and DVD's.
• A detailed history of each kwan recognized by the KHF, bio's on the their founders and top masters.
• Seminar information for any upcoming events both in North America and abroad.
• Hapkido human interest stories as well as Hapkido in the news.
• We will also cover questions and topics submitted by our listening audience.

The podcast should be available for downloads via iTunes or can be listened to directly on your computer via a feedburner address that we will provide to you shortly. This podcast is available to all Hapkidoin as well as KHF members. We hope you find this series informative and entertaining.

Kwans of the Korea Hapkido Federation

• Bong Moo Kwan (GM IM Myung Sup, 8th Dan)
• Chun Do Kwan (GM YU Chun Hee, 8th Dan)
• Chung Kyum Kwan (GM CHOI Suk Hwan)
• Chun Ji Kwan (GM KIM Byung Soo, 8th Dan)
• Da Mool Moo Kwan
• Dong Yi Kwan (GM KANG Tae Soo)
• Duk Moo Kwan (GM KIM Duk In, 9th Dan)
• Eul Ji Kwan (GM KIM Hyung Sang, 8th Dan)
• Hak Moo Kwan (GM LEE Yong Sik)
• Han Moo Kwan (GM SONG Young Ki, 9th Dan)
• Huek Joo Kwan (GM JIN Jong Moon, 9th Dan)
• Hyo Chun Kwan (GM YOO Dong Gu, 7th Dan)
• In Moo Kwan (GM NA In Dong, 9th Dan)
• Kang Moo Kwan (GM CHUN Man Bae)
• Ki Moo Kwan (GM IM Hyun Yong)
• Ki Sim Kwan (GM SUH Kwang Won, 8th Dan)
• Koryo Chun Tong Moo Ye Won
• Kuh Ho Kwan (GM CHUN Won Il, 8th Dan)
• Kuk Sool Kwan (GM KIM Woo Tak)
• Kum Moo Kwan (GM JUNG Soon Sung, 8th Dan)
• Kun Moo Kwan (GM HAN Kyu Il, 8th Dan)
• Kwang Moo Kwan (GM NO Kwang Yul, 8th Dan)
• Kyung Moo Kwan (GM KIM Nam Jae, 8th Dan)
• Moo Moo Kwan (GM KIM Yong Chang)
• Mu Hak Kwan (GM LEE Sung Soo, 9th Dan)
• Pyung Moo Kwan
• Se Sim Kwan (GM YOO Ki Hyun, 7th Dan)
• Se Sung Kwan (GM JUNG Ik Chul, 7th Dan)
• Soo Do Kwan (GM OH Jae Suk)
• Song Won Kwan (GM JUNG Bong Ok, 8th Dan)
• Soong Moo Kwan (GM LEE Jung Moon)
• So Rim Kwan
• Tae Moo Kwan (GM JUNG Ki Chul, 8th Dan)
• Yon Bi Kwan (GM KIM Jung Soo)
• Yong Moo Kwan (GM LEE Dong Woo, 9th Dan)
• Yoo Sool Kwan (GM BYUN Young Dae)
• Yoo Sool Won (GM YOO Sang Ho, 9th Dan)
• Yoo Sung Kwan (GM KIM Nam Kyu)
• Yun Moo Kwan (GM LEE Ho Il, 8th Dan)

This information has been provided by the KHF Headqaurters and includes only recognized, affiliated active kwans.