TKD Leaders
- Thread starter leadleg
- Start date
At the Kukkiwon, the leaders were Dr. Un Yong KIM and the taekwondo pioneers. Now it is GM KANG Won Sik (who arguably is not a pioneer) as well as other juniors.
At the WTF, the leaders were Dr. Un Yong KIM and the taekwondo pioneers. Now it is Dr. Chungwon CHOUE and his present Secretary General Jinsuk YANG.
What is TPA? Are you talking about TPF, which is run by Mr. Dae Soon LEE?
Yes TPF, I see a lot of literature coming from the Taekwondo Promotion team,would you say they have a following of other assocations in Korea?
As for the thread I was wondering more about who may be the up and coming leaders, it must be obvious after losing the political battle Dr. Un Yong Kim will not be leading tkd ever again,and after the KKW was taken over a lot of folks do not feel they are being led by GM Kang Won Sik.
They seem to be going in a different direction with there globalisation than we were looking at say a year ago.
The Taekwondo Promotion Foundation is the vehicle that is getting the Taekwondo Park at Muju built. There is a lot of tension between the Kukkiwon and the Muju Park because the Park is attempting to usurp the authority that was originally granted to the Kukkiwon. For example, the Kukkiwon has since the beginning been in charge of the World Taekwondo Academy, which runs all of the educational programs such as the Instructor Courses, and other courses as well. But recently the WTF changed some language in their bylaws which would allow Muju to take over as the World Taekwondo Academy. Some argue that TPF is attempting to move the Kukkiwon to Muju, which no one wants. Muju is in the countryside, far away from international airports. It is a miserable four or five hour bus ride from Seoul.
People are disappointed to say the least with the leadership of President Kang. He does things without consulting anyone. The changing of the Kukkiwon logo and the design of the Kukkiwon dan certificates are two examples. He is also having some disputes with the Chairman of the Kukkiwon Board of Directors. The Chairman wanted to show up for work at the Kukkiwon everyday and requested that he be provided an office to work out of. There are vacant offices which the Chair could have used but President Kang opposed this. Things like that. The Chair has the power, with a majority vote of the Board members, to remove the Kukkiwon President at anytime.
We have to see how much longer he will last.
Well, one up and coming leader in the KTA is Master Jin Bang YANG, who serves at KTA Executive Director. He basically runs the day to day operations of the KTA. Dr. Yang is very intelligent and speaks fluent english, which some feel makes him a little scary. His wife and children live in the United States I believe, and I hear he visits them.
However, some feel uncomfortable with him as a leader. Jidokwan GM LEE Chong Woo, who was the direct teacher of Dr. Yang, has stated that he made two mistakes in his life: one was with his son, and the other was Dr. Yang.
I never had any problems with Dr. Yang, when he was a USTU member. He greeted us and hosted us last year when we went to the KTA dinner and was cordial. But some are wary of him.
The location of the park is strikingly beautiful,worth the ride if you ask me.You could rent a sedan and then the ride may not be miserable as if you were on a bus. It obviously will be a great place for TKDoist to visit and a fantastic area to train. The KKW is old,falling apart and small,parking seems a nightmare. It really needs monetary help,makes you wonder where the money goes. Definately not in building maintenance. Having said that I don't see the Muju Park being where the offices of the KKW will ever reside.
I have heard rumors of the TPF becoming more than just promoting the park,are they not supported by some influential people? Could the heads of some these type org's become like Kwan leaders with the following they have. Could the district orgs have clout? They seem like kwans in themselves with so many members.
I have heard rumors of the TPF becoming more than just promoting the park,are they not supported by some influential people? Could the heads of some these type org's become like Kwan leaders with the following they have. Could the district orgs have clout? They seem like kwans in themselves with so many members.
I am against the Taekwondo Park because I truly believe that it is trying to supplant the Kukkiwon. I don't trust Mr. Dae Soon Lee.
The money goes to supporting Taekwondoin. They haven't raised prices for dan certification in 25 years. The Hanmadang is free, with no competitor entry fee. And the Kukkiwon donates $1 million per year every year to the WTF. You need to show a little more respect for the Kukkiwon.
andyjeffries
Senior Master
It's interesting that GM Lee doesn't consider the branch trimming at the 2000 Olympic games one of his mistakes...
I am not sure why you think the park would supplant the kkw, and I don't think I am disrespecting the KKW by commenting on the disrepair of the building.Do you feel the building is not in dire need of repair? How about the museum? I am KKW I get all our bbs
Certified with KKW and I attended almost every KKW training opportunity available.All my instructors receive KKW textbooks.Have you ever crunched any numbers for how much the KWW recieves every year?
I think you should give the park project more respect,it is and will be one of the biggest attractions advertising TKD worldwide since the olympics.
miguksaram
Master of Arts
Not sure renting a sedan is the best idea especially when you consider the roads to get to the park. Unless they are going to widen the mountain roads or you are a native Korean driver. Trying to make the trip like that would be scary to say the least.
I have made myself very vocal about this park both here and while we visited the park, which I believe did not make me very popular with the TPF when I called it a Disneyland theme park ripoff. I am not for it for a couple of reasons, one which Glenn has already hit on. To me this park seems more like a Disneyland attraction for TKD people more than a serious place to train. It spouts out how it will show you the culture of Korea yet I disagree. In my opinoin this park captures only one very small aspect of Korean culture and that is city culture. Make it bigger and flashier. When I asked what about tradition and other aspects of Korea life, they simply said they will put that part up if they have private donors to give money to do so.
Another reason is that beautiful drive you described, will quickly be ruined by all the land they are going to tear down in order to build this park. They will destroy a lot of countryside for what? So that we have a glittery stadium and a few rides for the kids? Sorry but this just not sit right with me. Plus they are doing this as a way to replace KKW as a training facility. To me this is just wrong on its own.
Muju, well Jeollabuk-do province in general is a beautiful place. It radiates, what I feel is traditional core culture of Korea. While I advocate people to explore Korea outside of Seoul, I can not advocate this park.
I have more fear of driving in the cities than the winding roads, but I had a driver.
I do see how you may not like the design of the park,personally I think it is quite innovative. I think the themes of the park are at least more about TKD being a martial art than mickey mouse.
If as you say it is Disney like then that may not be so bad for the popularity of TKD. Everyone in the world knows who mickey is.
I am sorry but having seen the expanse of the park yes it will take up some pristine land,but hardly affecting the drive there though. It is an area known for recreation and also for low revenue for the residents.
Do you think the KKW in the city is more representive of TKD than the beauty of the mountains and valleys?
I am in favor of the park and have given money to help in its development.
@ puunui,is that 1 million american or korean that the KKW gives WTF
I do see how you may not like the design of the park,personally I think it is quite innovative. I think the themes of the park are at least more about TKD being a martial art than mickey mouse.
If as you say it is Disney like then that may not be so bad for the popularity of TKD. Everyone in the world knows who mickey is.
I am sorry but having seen the expanse of the park yes it will take up some pristine land,but hardly affecting the drive there though. It is an area known for recreation and also for low revenue for the residents.
Do you think the KKW in the city is more representive of TKD than the beauty of the mountains and valleys?
I am in favor of the park and have given money to help in its development.
@ puunui,is that 1 million american or korean that the KKW gives WTF
bluewaveschool
2nd Black Belt
Rupies
miguksaram
Master of Arts
Yes, a native driver who is used to the driving mentality of Korea. ha.ha.ha Totally different than driving yourself.
Yes, the design is innovative, however it is not the them but the fact they are trying to make this more of a tourist trap than a TKD training ground. During our meeting with their planning committe they talked about adding rides and things of that nature that, to me, take away why it is being put there in the first place.leadleg said:
Disney like in the way of putting in rides. Sorry but I don't believe in equating my art to some cartoon character.leadleg said:
Has nothing to do with the drive. What it will be taking up is valuable farm land as well as mountainous scenery. They will be restructuring the roadways as well. I am not sure what you mean that it is known for low revenue for the residents. The residents in that area are, for the most part, farmers.leadleg said:
leadleg said:
Yes. KKW is more of a representative of TKD than this park. It is the building which the art had continued to develope and strive. The park is just that...a park. It is just a tourist trap.
I will admit one positive. It will force people to step outside of Seoul and see more of the countryside of Korea.
Because they are taking steps to transfer powers and activities of the Kukkiwon to the Taekwondo Park. We already discussed this.
I disagree with you on the idea that the Kukkiwon is crumbling down. Perhaps it could use painting on the outside, but that is about it. Inside, there is nothing wrong with the inside of the building.
When President KANG Won Sik took over as President of the Kukkiwon this year, there was $9 million in the Kukkiwon bank account. There is no issue about whether the Kukkiwon has enough money to paint the outside of the building, which to me is the only thing that MAYBE needs to be done. And there is nothing wrong with the museum either. No one goes there anyway. The walls of the Kukkiwon are not crumbling down, like how you infer. However, there is talk of perhaps moving the Kukkiwon to another location in Seoul. It is important I believe to keep the Kukkiwon in Seoul so that it is accessable as possible to as many Taekwondoin as possible. The Kukkiwon is incredibly busy, especially on the weekends where it is host to a variety of events including belt tests, tournaments, and the like. The World Hanmadang was just there earlier this month.
The park is located such that you may go there once to check it out, but it isn't someplace that you (or at least I) will be going to on a regular basis, not like the Kukkiwon. Also the Park is being built in an area that does not have the infrastructure to host large events or accommodate large amounts of visitors during a single event. It is basically being built in the middle of nowhere. You can tell because when you reach the top of the mountain and look out, all you see is green mountains and valleys. I felt like we were at WuDang Mountain and the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon girl was going to jump off.
HUH? The park will ,when finished be able to accomodate large events,the archetecture is outstanding.
The KKW has a gym no larger than your average high school basketball court.
You are right on about the beauty of the area, and the infrastructure of the surrounding area.That may be why they are locating the park there,to build up the economy.
If you look at the surrounding area of seoul you will see distant valleys with high rises jutting towards the sky,building in faraway areas over mountains and rivers is something the Koreans do well.
OK, I do not want to see the KKW taken over by the WTF, nor do I see the offices of the KKW ever leaving Seoul, I can see where the KKW builing could be better taken care of.
What do you say, we agree on more than we disagree.
What about the province or district org.s with their large memberships being future leaders?
The KTA gave Un Yong Kim an honorary office,does this mean any thing to you?
I was speaking more about the infrastructure of the surrounding area not being able to accommodate large numbers.
"Also the Park is being built in an area that does not have the infrastructure to host large events or accommodate large amounts of visitors during a single event. It is basically being built in the middle of nowhere."
But it is used very regularly for belt tests, tournaments, instructor courses, etc. And most importantly, it is located in Seoul, which is where the majority of Taekwondoin live.
They are locating the park there because Samsung owns the mountain and donated it to the park project.
Mr. Dae Soon LEE, who is in charge of the TPF and Muju Park project, is also President of the Asia Taekwondo Union and lobbied for and voted for the reelection of President CHOUE Chungwon. In exchange, they revised the WTF Bylaws such that the park can now become the location for the "World Taekwondo Academy", which is what the Kukkiwon's function is.
There are certainly some very rich and very powerful province Taekwondo Associations in Korea. Perhaps there are leaders to be found there. But I think the main issue is that we had Dr. Un Yong KIM for so long which caused everyone to unify. Now that he has been taken out of the picture, what we have left as replacement candidates who are defective in one way or another. If they have the vision and leadership ability, they do not have the support. If they have the support, they do not have the vision or leadership ability.
The KTA gave Dr. Kim the title of Honorary President of the KTA so that he could run for the WTF presidency. But political machinations delayed the granting of the title under after the WTF elections, and I believe since then the bylaws were changed so that honorary positions (which is what President Choue held at the KTA prior to his WTF election) is no longer grounds for WTF Presidential candidacy. In short, they did the same thing that USAT is trying to do now with the upcoming elections.
I have another question,the WTF is not run by the Korean Government, but the KKW is. Do you think the government let the KKW move to the park? Could it be possible that some of the functions of the KKW could be moved to the park,yet the offices and testings remain in Seoul?
Your problem with the park lies with the KKW moving there ,or are there other reasons you don't like the park?
I don't think there is any doubt the park is going to be built,the North could delay that ,but then I doubt anyone will be caring much about TKD if war breaks out.
Your problem with the park lies with the KKW moving there ,or are there other reasons you don't like the park?
I don't think there is any doubt the park is going to be built,the North could delay that ,but then I doubt anyone will be caring much about TKD if war breaks out.
The Taekwondo Park project in Muju is a Korean government project. The Kukkiwon's incorporation status went from non-profit corporation to special government corporation status. I don't want the Kukkiwon's functions separated in Muju and Seoul. That wouldn't make sense. I don't think North Korea will have any influence on the Taekwondo Park. I am opposed to the Kukkiwon moving to Muju because of the location and also the other implications that have yet to be revealed. When we were at the Park last year, I asked one of the people who were supposed to give us information about the usurpation of the Kukkiwon's function and purpose. He smiled a really screwed up smile and said "That is a sensitive issue."
The Taekwondo Park reminds me of USAT. In the beginning you have hope, but then everytime they reveal something, it feels bad, especially if you connect the dots of the seemingly unrelated. It doesn't feel right what they are doing.
