MY STORY SGM Koe Woong Choung

MY STORY

SGM Koe Woong Choung

by SMaster Guy E. Larke

Leading Change in the Tang Soo Do World By Senior Master Guy Edward Larke

By now we have met pretty much all the grandmaster archetypes from the retired champion to the descendent of a system. It gets to be we can guess pretty much which of 3 or 4 personalities the leader of an organization within a few minutes of meeting him (or her). Not saying that is necessarily a bad thing but as someone who researches various systems and methods I am more often than not attracted to those who don’t fit neatly in any one stereotype. When I moved to South Korea 18 years ago one of my goals was to study the Korea art of Tang Soo Do so I could experience it like my childhood hero Chuck Norris did. After a lot of dead ends and brick walls I was introduced to one organization located in the Dong-dae-moon district in Seoul. That afternoon was surprising whereas I met retired HK movie legend Hwang Jung-Lee and my to-be Tang Soo Do master Chang Il-Do (aka Bruce Lai in HK movies). That same day I was introduced to a non-descript grandfatherly gentleman who turned out to be the backbone and the engine that kept the federation going. His name was Choung Koe-Woong (Jung Kway-Oong) and he turned out to be far more important to myself and many other Tang Soo Do exponents across the globe. Over a period of years my wife (who was brought into the now World Tang Soo Do General Federation) and I

worked closely alongside of the key people of the federation as they came and went. One of the consistent forces that never wavered or had second thoughts was GM Choung. It occurred to me on a number of occasions that although the organization has grown so much over the years, not many people knew much about him or how he got be where he is now. Whereas I am privileged enough to have a close relationship with the man I thought I would share his unique story. It starts in the year 1940 (ironically the same year Carlos Ray, or Chuck, Norris was born) in a province called Kyoung-nam-do. At that time Korea was still under Japanese occupation and suffered horrendously in so many ways. He was born into a typically large Korean family with three sisters and two brothers. His father was a hunter while their mother took care of everything else. His childhood was much the same as most children, whereas he learned to appreciate just being able to survive. He attended middle school in 1952 at Kyoung-nam Middle School. It was there he was introduced to the martial art of Kong Soo Do. As in most dojangs, the conditions were deplorable. To say they were dirty and smelled foul was an understatement. But the students ignored for the most part as they focused on enduring hard training. He studied that discipline for 3 years under Hong Jung-Ryo. After finishing middle school, his family moved to the city of Daegu where he attended high school. It was there he first experienced Moo Duk Kwon under Hong Jong-Soo. At that time the “Kwons” were very similar, so switching “styles” was not difficult at all. In fact, there were so few dojangs, many times it was absolutely necessary. As many did in those times, he moved up north to Seoul to attend university (major in Commerce). As luck would have it he met J. J, (Jae Joon) Kim who rain a gym near the city. Not only was he possessed of strong technique, but he was highly educated (odd for martial artists at that time) and had studied English at Dangook University previously. He stayed with him and eventually achieved the rank of 4th Dan under him. During that period, he became an instructor (from 1964). It was on a volunteer basis to help his master propagate the art. Later on, he became one of the founding members of the now massive Korean bank entity, Kookmin Bank. Despite the commitments from that he opened his own dojang once he was promoted to 6th Dan in the late 60’s in Seoul called the Wuhl Suk Dojang. Three years later he opened a second dojang near Seoul City Hall called the Han Mee Dojang. During that period, he started his family in 1969 (eventually to include his wife, two sons, a daughter and a granddaughter). Sadly, his business commitments forced him close his dojangs in 1980. He was made 8th Dan by that time by J. J. Kim. A large change came to the emerging grandmaster in 1980. At that time martial artists were still viewed by many to be hooligans and hitmen. Needless to say, running a successful dojang was a challenge. A close friend suggested that as his character was far from the “bad guy” image he should choose a different group to identify himself. Lions Club International was what he had in mind. Even in Korea it was THE service organization in the nation and highly respected. Choung liked the mission statement of “We serve.”. He wanted to alter it to “We serve through the martial arts.” Once becoming immersed in the innerworkings of the organization he helped form the Seoul Mudo Lions Club. A way for gentlemen martial artists to segregate themselves from other masters and make a difference at the same time. He actually became the first president. It started with 46 members of masters 5th Dan and higher. By Charter Night in 1981, 5 similar clubs had opened changing the way the public saw martial artists. In fact, these clubs are STILL running. The 37th Anniversary was held in April of this year with 300 + members in attendance. Choung made a big move with his family to Detroit in the 90’s to take care of family business and take charge of a large business. His old MMK master was there and introduced Vice detective and Tang Soo Do expert James A. Saffold. The two became fast friends and are inseparable to this day. After some years in the USA, Choung and his wife returned to Korea and he resumed business back in his homeland. Not much happened until the Tang Soo Do world was shaken by the tragic passing of its founder Hwang Kee in 2002. In Korea culture family members hold “Memorial Days” for their dear departed. The first one (in 2003) included Choung and several other very senior masters in the art. Many were among the very first students of Hwang Kee. They decided

to form an organization to promote Tang Soo Do as they were originally taught and help it move forward at the same time. On the December 29th of that year the World Moodukwon General Federation was established with over 100 members. Yong Duk Kim (Dan Bong no. 2) was the first president. J.J. Kim was Vice-President. Choung was General Secretary. Kang-Uk Lee (now in the UK) was in charge of the testing committee. CS Kim was the foreign vice-president to round out the head of the group. The federation was meant to be a kind of IOC and wanted to take Tang Soo Do to the next level, technically and spiritually. Sadly, there was too much bickering from within about who was senior/ junior to who. This sabotaged the group and hurt it greatly. Several key people left to find their own path. By 2010, a handful of members remained. Choung connected with a benefactor (Kwon Jae-Joong) who believed in the aims of the federation and helped reestablish the federation but changing Moodukwon to Moodukkwan. It seems like a small difference to foreigners, but to Koreans the differentiate in wording is significant. The group became a Korean non-profit organization. In 2012 the federation changed (in name only) to the World Tang Soo Do General Federation and celebrated that change with a one of a kind world forum in November of that year. Grandmasters from around the globe gathered and stood shoulderto-shoulder with Korean masters as they discussed matters of mutual interest. Shortly thereafter Choung and a tightly knit group of foreign grandmasters formed the World Tang Soo Do Elite Grand Master Society. That led to him being nominated to 10th Dan by the foreign members and recommended to assume the role of President. The changes and innovations that have been made possible by the new leadership were made evident last November in the 2nd world forum and first Tang Soo Do conference (see the news in this issue). 60 members from several nations attended, setting the stage for several other events in Korea and other nations in the future. To reach out to his members across the world during the pandemic, Sr GM Choung has planned a number of events and steps for the future including: - Writing and developing a comprehensive textbook on the art of Tang Soo Do - Hosting the next Online Hall of Fame - Education seminar and testing for senior masters in Sweden and Norway in May - Leading a comprehensive summer seminar in Sweden and Norway in June - Hosting a contingency from North and South America in September for training and testing - Attending an international seminar in Morocco in the month of November As it was when he started teaching in the early 1960’s GM Choung considers

his position that of “service.” As he says martial arts is a very hard road if you do it for the money. Following are a number of quotes from his fervent followers: Working with GM Choung has been very rewarding, he is different from many others masters, he is very humble and willing to help you, he listens to your opinions and takes them into account. he has tried very hard to keep the roots of Tang Soo Do alive.

-Patricio Saavedra, USA -----------------------------------------Grandmaster Koe Woong Choung has been a positive inspiration and leader for me. He has helped to develop TSD to a high standard and makes himself available to everyone in the federation. To be part of the federation and to train under him in Korea was a great honor for me. I have a lot of work commitments over the last few years and regardless of this GM Choung has always kept in contact and given me the inspiration to keep training. I am honored to have him as my Grandmaster. Best wishes to GM Choung.

– Des Galligan, Ireland ----------------------------------------------We are thankful for SGM Koe Woong Choung as he is one of the successors of our late CKJN Jae Joon Kim, who uphold the tradition of Tang Soo Do with a wonderful work for WTSDGF, calling in the world's most experienced GM and Masters of our art Tang Soo Do. Respects, Tang Soo!

– Frank Schneider, Germany ----------------------------------------------Congratulations on your article Grandmaster Choung, I don’t think that you are aware of it but you are a highly respected Tang Soo Do Grand Master and Tang Soo Do people in Europe constantly asking about you and when you are coming to Europe again. You are a good leader who is on a difficult mission to collect Tang Soo Do throughout the world. It's a pleasure that we can be taught by you every time we are in Korea and I hope it will continue for many years.

- Erik Kristensen, Denmark ----------------------------------------------GM Choung upholds the highest traditional standards. During my test he was adamant about the need for internal strength and power. From his own performances of hyung, everyone can see the tremendous, complete focus he has.

- David Reed, USA -----------------------------------------The World Tang Soo Do General Federation can be found online at www.moodukwonkorea.org . Interested parties living in South or Central America should contact the Latin American Director GM Patricio Saavedra on Facebook or at masterpsaavedra@gmail.com . TANG SOO

Master Guy Edward Larke has dedicated his life to the pursuit of the martial arts, Asian culture, and hoplology. It led him to Korea in 2000, and he now lives in Bundang with his wife, Gi-Ryung, and son, Alexander. He holds black belts in several martial arts including Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Taekgyeon, Bon Kuk Kumdo, Karatedo, Teuk Gong Moo Sool and Wushu. Currently, he teaches a number of Korean disciplines and Kisa-Do Muye (his art) in addition to writing for various magazines and running KisaDo Muye & Marketing. He can be contacted at kisadomuye@gmail.com.