history of kuk sool won:
1:10 POST KOREAN WAR KOREA: 1953 – Present Day

During the uncertainties of those early days, a very few committed, talented and resourceful men continued to believe in themselves and their arts. They struggled on, determined that the world would recognise them, and their vision and interpretation of the traditional Korean martial arts. They formed as many as 31 different schools and organisations, which became generally known as the ‘KWANS’, or Schools of Traditional Korean Martial Arts. On September 2nd 1963, the KOREA KIDO ASSOCIATION was formed to oversee the 31 different styles of Korean martial arts, which had developed in the post-war period. This organization, which is recognised by the Korean Government, holds records of all dan grades for these different styles.

Traditional Korean Martial Arts Introduced to the Wider World
Probably one of the most significant events that has taken place in the modern history of the traditional Korean martial arts is their introduction to the USA. Pioneering Korean masters such as RHEE JHOON, who introduced TAE KWON DO to the USA in 1956, and SUH IN HYUK, who introduced KUK SOOL WON in 1974, have in fact opened up the traditional Korean martial arts to the world stage. Since those early beginnings, these arts are now represented in most countries of the world.

Another highly significant event was in 1988, when Korea hosted the World Olympic Games and nominated the art of TAE KWON DO to represent the country as its national sport. This serves to demonstrate how highly regarded the martial arts are in Korea.

Facts and Fictions
As with most areas of human endeavour, there are always controversies of one kind or another. Many questions abound as to the origins, history, authenticity and purity of the traditional Korean martial arts and of those who founded them. The following examples are just some of the issues that have to be considered in relation to the claims of different founders and the organizations they represent.

One issue is that some Korean styles are not considered entirely Korean in origin; that either a Japanese or Chinese influence has contributed to that particular style.