Kuk Sul Do

Summary

Kuk Sul Do is a Korean martial art developed by Choon S. Yang, a Kuk Sul master who was sent to the US to promote Korean martial arts. Kuk Sul Do is the merger of various martial arts and its development can be attributed to different forms that exist in Korea. Choon S. Yang formed Yang’s Kuk Sul Do Federation which serves as the governing body of all Kuk Sul Do schools in the globe.

History / Origins

ETYMOLOGY

Kuk Sul Do is a Korean martial art and its name literally means “the way of Korean martial arts.” Different Korean martial art styles were developed thousands of years ago. In the aim to preserve the country’s ancient martial arts, merging of different Korean styles took place. Due to the combination of Korea’s most prominent martial art styles, Kuk Sul Do is regarded as the National Korean Martial Art.

BEGINNINGS

Kuk Sul Do’s birth is attributed to Japan’s attack on Korea, where, during that time, many martial arts emerged and were used by Korean warriors to defend the land against the invasion. If not for Korean martial arts like Kung Sa, Tu Ho, Tae Kyun, and Su Sul, Kuk Sul Do would never have been born. Kuk Sul Do merged different Korean martial art styles in order to preserve the techniques of ancient Korean martial arts.

Kuk Sul Do, despite its name and nature, was not born in Korea. Choon S. Yang, the founder of Kuk Sul Do, developed the martial art in the United States. In 1978, South Korean President Park placed Choon S. Yang and 8 other Kuk Sul masters together in the Kuk Sul Government Martial Arts Demonstration Team that would represent and promote Korea to the United States. Choon S. Yang saw the potential of Kuk Sul in the US. He found people that would help him build an organization of masters who shared the same passion for Kuk Sul. As a result, Yang’s Kuk Sul Do Federation was born.

PRESENT DAY

Kuk Sul Do Grandmaster Choon S. Yang is still active in promoting the martial art all over the US, Korea, and the rest of the world. Yang’s Kuk Sul Do Federation has always been strict when it comes to training requirements and testing methods. In fact, the Grandmaster himself trains, teaches and tests the instructors to assure that the art of Kuk Sul Do is promoted correctly and with respect, honor and dignity. The Federation has accredited schools where Kuk Sul Do enthusiasts can enroll to enhance and develop their interest in the Korean martial art. The Grandmaster, up to this day, takes time to visit each and every school to give inspiration to students. To discipline the students, he is often heard saying “I will not give you a black belt – you have to take it from me!’’ With the Grandmaster’s strictness when it comes to hard work and discipline, the Federation is proud to have gained a reputation as an elite martial art organization.

FOLKLORE

Folklore and legends represent the kind of influence martial art imparts on society. There is a tale about Won Sullong, General Kim Yu-Shin's son, who had a battle with the T'ang Army over a territorial dispute. Won-Sullong did not win the battle and he was disowned by his father. Because of the embarrassment he faced, Won-Sullong went into hiding in the forests and he spent the days mastering the styles and techniques of martial arts. When he gathered enough courage, strength, and confidence, he entered the camp as a commoner and killed the commander.