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The
Genesis of Ko Am Mu-Do
 
A Thought - A Goal - A
Beginning
The Thought: "Something was missing…"
Many grandmasters and masters of Tae Kwon Do were
unhappy. Their martial art was accepted by millions of
people, of all ages, all over the world. Competitors
were plentiful coming from near and far. The art was
thriving.
Many of the grandmasters and masters in Korea had their
own schools that taught only the sport and Olympic style
of Tae Kwon Do. Everyday student learned the same thing
and practiced the same thing. The cultural and
traditional aspects of the martial art were becoming
lost. The discipline was weakening.
Boredom set in quickly, and interest waned. The
Grandmasters, masters, as well as the students, were not
being challenged. What was wrong? The traditional and
philosophical aspect of Tae Kwon Do was not being
upheld.
The martial art of Tae Kwon Do was becoming too
main-stream. Something was missing.
The Goal : "Develop a new Martial Art System"…
The grandmasters strongly agreed to develop a system
whose philosophies would be based on the historical
principles of the art. It would stress inner peace,
mental and physical strength, and harmony with others
and society. The new system had to encompass breathing
techniques and discipline while respect was to be
emphasized. It also had to have practical self-defense
techniques that flowed and would work in modern day
martial arts schools. This was a big order. Cooperation
and open minds were essential. After several years, four
grandmasters (Jin Chung, Jun Kim, N.G. Guak, and Yung
Ho Jun) from Florida had done it!
For the first time in the history of martial arts, a 37
video tape set encompassing white belt through 5th dan
black belt curriculums was created. This system of
traditional martial arts was recognized by the Kukkiwon
(international headquarters of Tae Kwon Do) and asked
for seminars to introduce it to the world of martial
arts. The four founding grandmasters hosted Ko Am Mu-Do
seminars throughout Korea, and then throughout the
world, with attendees in the thousands including world
renown grandmasters and instructors. Slowly but surely,
the art of Ko Am Mu-Do began to spread into the world of
martial arts.
The Beginning : "The Journey Begins"
The First Ko Am Mu-Do Martial Arts Seminar was held
March 1997 in Ft. Myers, Florida. Over 120 masters,
instructors and black belt students were introduced to
the systems. They loved it.
Last September 27 through October 11, 1997, Grandmaster
Jin Chung and Grandmaster N.G. Guak traveled to South
Korea to present Ko Am Mu Do demonstrations. The two
grandmasters participated in the grand opening of the
Korean Tae Kwon Do Consultative Company as well as
presenting exhibitions for Korean masters and
grandmasters of Seoul, Sang Nam City, Keung Gi
Providence, Tae Jun City, Treu City, Pusan City, and Sok
Cho Kanguin City. The demonstrations consisted of
breathing and meditation techniques, grappling and
grabbing, falling and rolling techniques, blocking,
punching, and kicking techniques, combinations, joint
locks, and the use of weapons. The program was received
enthusiastically by the grandmasters and masters, who
were presented with a complete Ko Am Mu-Do curriculum
including programs for adults and children.
Certification for Ko Am Mu-Do is under the World Tae
Kwon Do Federation, which operates in 135 different
countries.
The South Korean Grandmasters and Masters were extremely
receptive and enthusiastic about Ko Am Mu-Do.
Grandmaster Guak and Grandmaster Chung told the masters
that they had a tremendous responsibility. They had to
be many things to the students: psychologist, teacher
and family. They were important to the student, like a
doctor. The student goes to a doctor if he is sick.
The master had to try to prevent sickness.
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