World Haidong Gumdo Federation > Greetings from the President
   
Haidong Gumdo is the traditional martial art of the ancient Koguryo Kingdom that ruled over eastern Asia, including the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. The true purpose of Haidong Gumdo is to execute justice with the light of the sword that is as majestic and brilliant as the morning sunlight on the east sea.
Haidong Gumdo was developed by the master Sul Bong who had great knowledge of sword techniques.
He opened a dojang in the Baekdoo Mountains and taught his apostles Haidong Gumdo that they could spread righteousness and justice.

The practitioners who lived according to the ideas of Choong(loyalty), Hyo(filial piety), Ye(propriety), Eui(justice), Shin(trust), Ji(knowledge), Duk(generosity) and Che (sound body) were called Samurang.

They conquered eastern Asia under the command of Kwang-Gae-To the Great, and helped the Gogugyo kingdom to become the most powerful country of its day in eastern Asia.

The Samurang, under the command of general Uel Ji Moon Duk, fended off 2 million soldiers during the invasion of the Sui Dynasty. They also defeated 600,000 Tang soldiers at the Ahn Shi battle under the command of general Yang Man Choon.

Some of the Samurang moved to Japan and they were known as Samurai as the pronunciation has been altered to accommodate the Japanese alphabet, as Korean food Kimchi is known as Kimuchi in Japan.

In the early 70's, Haidong Gumdo was passed onto me from the master Jang Baek San in Kwanak Mountain.

I have been spreading the art within Korea as well as in the USA, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, South Eastern Asia, China and Australia so that Korean traditional art can be preserved and enjoyed by more people.

Thanks to Haidong Gumdo families in the world, we have successfully held 2002 Haidong Gumdo Championship (3,390 participants), 2002 World Haidong Gumdo Championship (10,000 participants from domestics and international) and 2004 World Haidong Gumdo Championship (with 10,000 participants from 31 countries)
 

In the future, World Haidong Gumdo Championships will be held every 2 years.

I promise that it will grow to become the global festival for Haidong Gumdo families.
I ask your continuous support and interest to achieve this goal.

In December 2002, we built Haidong Gumdowon (Haidong gumdo center) in Korea to bring Haidong Gumdo closer to the world.

Also we are currently building Moodowon (martial art center) in Danyang, Chungbook, Korea.



I am certain that Moodowon will become the root and home of all martial artists in the world.

I know that the amazing growth of Haidong Gumdo is due to the love and support of all Haidong Gumdo families in every country.

I will continuously do my best to be the column of Haidong Gumdo.

I humbly bow my head in front of all masters in the world who have been working night and day to spread Haidong Gumdo in the world.