Hap = Harmony
Ki = Power
Do = Way or Path
So what is Hapkido? Hapkido is a Korean martial art practiced the world over. Characterized by joint locks, throws, and dynamic kicking techniques, it is unique among Korean martial arts (Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do) in its emphasis on deflecting an opponent’s attacks instead of forceful blocking.
Hapkido is the “anti-martial art”. It was designed as a way to defend against and overcome an attacker with skill in many forms of martial combat. With roots in Aiki-jujitsu, Hapkido adds striking and punching to joint-locks, throws, and grappling, making it one of the original mixed martial arts. However, unlike modern MMA training, Hapkido gives the student a solid base in different forms of defence, and roots the strategy of that defense in the principles of water, circle, and harmony. This gives the student a solid framework on which to develop their skill so that they are not caught off-guard when in real defence situations.
It is designed to allow a martial artist to rapidly subdue an opponent and render any attacker completely incapable of causing harm. Since Hapkido affords total control over a physical confrontation and emphasizes precision over brute strength, the hapkidoist can localize any damage dealt to an opponent and avoid creating unintended injury.
For this reason, it is very popular among private security and law enforcement agents throughout the world.
But, make no mistake. Hapkido also enables the practitioner to leverage extremely powerful and even deadly force if absolutely necessary, such as in a life-or-death confrontation. The art’s primary emphasis is on practical self-defence.
WHA President Grand Master Tae Jung
Grand Master Tae Jung is currently a 9th Dan Black Belt and president of the World Hapkido Association.
His role as president continues a lifelong commitment to teach and promote Hapkido.
Growing up in central Seoul, capital of Korea, Tae Jung was fortunate to encounter with many traditional Martial Arts and Masters, He started his Hapkido in ‘Sung Moo Kwan/Korea Hapkido Association’ near the house where he grew up and trained by one of the finest Hapkido instructors at the time and also founding members of KHA..,Master Ji Hanjae, Lee TaeJoon, Park JinSeok and Hwang Inshik. Tae Jung also trained in different arts such as Taekwondo, Praying Mantis Kungfu and one of his favorite weapons ‘Guhm-Do’ through the guidance of legendary swordsman Master Kim Sohk-Sun.
After years of hard training, the Korea Hapkido Association honored Tae Jung with the Instructor certificate in 1975 and his career as Hapkido instructor began at the Trent Gym, Head quarters of U.S 8th Army Yong-San, Korea. He had trained many U.S. soldiers and their family members during 1975-1982, until his immigration to the United States in 1982.
Since arriving in the United States, Master Jung has been teaching Hapkido, as the traditional system with philosophy of respect, discipline and confidence. Hundreds of students spanning the United States from East coast to West coast, have achieved Black Belts under his instruction. His life long dedication as Martial Artist has been recognized and awarded by U.S Congressman, chief of military forces and law enforcement.
In June of 2001, with great honor, Master Jung was appointed to the president of the World Hapkido Association, and he continually promotes Hapkido around the globe to this day.
Grandmaster Jung was a direct student of Ji Han Jae, GM Hwang and Bong Soo Han.