사)세계해동검도미국태권도타임지 인터뷰 내용Taekwondo Times Interview

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

미국 태권도 타임지의 기자인 스티브가 사)세계해동검도연합회 김정성 총재와

인터뷰한 내용을 그대로 옮겨 놓은 내용이다.

해동검도에 대한 많은 부분들, 역사 및 수련내용, 2009세계해동검도대회,미국내에서의 향후 발전계획, 해외에서 가장 많은  해동검도 지부 및 이의 왕성한 해동검도 활동을  알리는  등등 을 인터뷰 하였다.

 

Taekwondo Times

Haedong Kumdo Interview in USA

 

 

Haedong Kumdo (Korean Sword Art)

Cutting a Swath Across America and the World

 

By  Steven A. Childress

 

 

The United World Haedong Kumdo Federation (UWHKF) entered the United States Feb. 2007 with explosive growth and enthusiasm as the USA Haedong Kumdo Federation was founded.  With numerous students in schools scattered over 13 different states the UWHKF projects to expansion its unique brand of Haedong Kumdo (HK), within 5 years, to all 50. 

 

After returning from his recent travels in Brazil and S. Africa, Grand Master (GM) Jeong Seong  Kim granted me an interview so that I may introduce this unique Korean  sword art to proponents of the Korean Martial Arts in the U.S.A.

 

Interview with GM Kim,Jeong Seong and Steven A. Childress (SAC):

 

SAC:  First I’d like to thank you for your valuable time and consideration.  I know that the UWHKF is currently involved in numerous activities, expansion, and competitions throughout the world.  Before we start, would you briefly introduce yourself and your involvement with the UWHKF?

GM KIM:          My name is Kim, Jeong Seong, and I am the President of the United World Haedong Kumdo Federation.  In this role, I try to co-ordinate the activities of the UWHKF world wide and I travel all over the world presenting seminars, giving demonstrations, and helping my representatives in the various countries to grow and develop HK in their region.  This is a very demanding role, even more so, because I also run my own Dojang in Busan [Korea].  It is a responsibility I take very seriously.  The people whom I work with are the leaders in their countries, promoting HK on behalf of the UWHKF, so I must work with them and support them as much as I can.

 

SAC:     President Kim, the UWHKF has undergone very vigorous growth since it was founded by you in June 2001.  It has spread to over 40 member countries and was recently introduced into the U.S.A.  As a Korean Martial Art, would you explain, for those not familiar with HK, what is involved in HK training, the benefits of studying HK, and how this art is distinguished from other forms of sword art?

 

GM KIM:          HK, like any Martial Art involves training in the Basics – where people learn to form the stances, make correct sword techniques, etc.  This is where people learn the building blocks of HK.  The training in Kumbup, which are our Patterns or Forms are divided into various groupings.  At first people learn the Ssang Su Kumbup, which teaches about using the sword with two hands.  This set involves 12 individual Kumbup, which get progressively more difficult.  These cover a comprehensive range of techniques using the two handed grip. 

 

              HK also involves Sparring practice, which is an aid to understanding the movements of the Kumbup.  This helps people to see how, and why the techniques work, and to understand distance, timing, etc. 

 

              After sparring practice, there is also cutting practice.  There are several different kinds of cutting practice.  Children, of course, are not permitted to use a live sword.  So for children and even for adults starting out in training we have paper cutting.  The paper cutting is done using a Mokkum (wooden sword), and helps the practitioner to learn about the correct angle of the cut.  There is also projected object cutting, which is literally cutting a moving object.  Not an easy thing to do.  With practice, however, people can cut several objects simultaneously thrown through the air.  We also cut wood, both with the Mokkum and the Jingkum (live sword), which is another difficult thing to do.

 

              During Black Belt testing, candidates must be able to use the Mokkum to cut a piece of wood suspended by two loops of paper without breaking the paper.  This is a very difficult test.

 

              With the live sword students perform timber cutting or more commonly bamboo cutting.  These are very unforgiving of errors, so it takes a lot of practice to get the cuts correct.

 

              These four things, Basics, Kumbup, Sparring, and Cutting make up the core of HK physically.  These are combined with correct breathing exercises, including moving postures, which help the individual practitioners to focus their energy and to bring balance to themselves.

 

              All these kinds of training have been done for centuries by various sword practitioners.  However, we are moving into a new century and so we have also developed competition, including creative sparring, where people can demonstrate a fighting sequence and creative Kumbup, where people can tell their own story of their understanding of the way of the sword.  We also have free sparring with padded swords, which is a very enjoyable past time.  Additionally, there is competition in the UWHKF Standard Kumbup and Cutting.

 

              The competitive element permits people to feel that they are putting their skills to use.  This is very important for people to show their skills.  Even masters and grand masters must show their skills so that people can see them and have respect for them.

 

SAC:     What could a typical student expect from attending classes?

 

GM KIM:          Typical classes involve warming up exercises, basics, Kumbup, sparring practice, cutting practice, breathing exercises, and cool down.  During this practice, they will learn to move with speed, accuracy and control over their body and sword.  This makes it an enjoyable training session for students.  They can train to their own level of ability.  However, they also improve very quickly, without realizing it.  HK is physical training which is so enjoyable; you don’t even realize you are getting faster, fitter, and stronger.

 

SAC:     HK traces its history, culture, philosophy, and practice very far back into Korean History.  How have these contributed to the current popularity and growth of the Art?

 

GM KIM:          According to Korean history there were three Dynasties relating to ancient times, namely the Kokurye, Bakeje, and Silla – The most powerful being the Kokurye.  The origin of HK is from the military system of Kokurye, which dates back to 1,500 years ago in Korea.

 

             One must also understand that throughout history Korea had been under continual threat from hostile forces.  In particular the Japanese forces who destroyed virtually all records of the actual techniques of the ancient Korean Martial Arts.

 

              There are only two remaining documents:  the “Moo Yeh Jee Bo” and the “Moo Yeh Do Bok Tong Gi,” which give us insight into Korea’s martial history.  These are the only two sources to trace the history of Korean sword arts.  In modern time this old martial art educational system, which was designed for military use, is not fully used during the general trainee’s practice.

 

              There is a long history that has been that has been properly transmitted to modern times, and Korea is proud of this heritage.  It is very important to us.  This heritage gives us the obligation to see it continue, so from an instructor’s point of view, I am enthusiastic about teaching it.  This is not my job, its my passion.  I think that this comes across in the classes I teach, and people look at me and say “he really wants us to enjoy and learn HK, he wants to make us better, and he is trying to give this to us for our benefit, so we will join with him.”  I think that this is one of my greatest contributions to it.

 

              The Korean sword is a very relaxed style compared to other systems.  It is a style which uses the body in the most natural ways, so it is not difficult to perform, it is something which men and women, adults and children can do.  This way, it has an appeal to a lot of different people, not just young men in their late teens or early twenties, not just old men or women, not just kids, but all.  Everyone can get the benefits and can train in HK for their whole life, always finding something new and interesting as they mature within HK.  This is a major contributor to its success. 

 

              I created the two-sword forms using both hands separately based on several kinds of Kumbups.  This allows the practice of controlling one sword in each hand while using both hands together.  This has been widely practiced since around 1982.  Many masters have based the one-sword forms from an elder senior master called Jangbaeksan in Korea. 

 

              Up to now, the two-sword educational system has been taught from 1^st Dan Black Belt.  However, starting next year, we have a schedule to change this so that even the beginners with white belt can learn it. 

 

              HK is based on real techniques for field combat.  One warrior against many, with a real sword, which is totally different when compared with other widely known systems, in which the general player utilizes a bamboo sword. 

 

              The UWHKF was founded in June of 2001 and currently has almost 40 member countries which are growing at a rapid pace.  The goal of UWHKF is to “Promote Haedong Kumdo (Korean Sword Arts),” to build UWHKF into a large prestigious Sports Federation for the Olympic Sports, and to spread Korean Traditional Culture in the World through HK.

 

              The UWHKF is open to every body in the World.  The re-popularization of HK is due to the efforts of UWHKF and its unique skills and movements.  Our efforts include numerous international performances throughout the World with Annual Competitions,  Stage Performances, the publications of HK text books (including Philosophy and skills), and the implementation of Haedong Ssang Kumdo (Two-Sword Techniques).

             

              Haedong Kumdo (Korean Swords Art) is a dynamic sport as well as martial art  for self – defense with an emphasis on mind and body balance.

 

SAC:     I was wondering if you would provide some statistics on the current membership,  number of member countries current and projected over the next 5 years world wide, as well as the projected growth in the USA, number of practitioners, number of black belts, and the number of States/Schools Represented in the USA)?  Also, what support does the Federation provide for member schools?

 

GM KIM:          As mentioned previously, we have national members of almost 40, of which, more than 20 members are working in action quite well such as Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Holland, Germany, Greece, USA, South Africa, India, Europe, Pan America, etc.   The rest of them are still in the beginning stages of organizational development (e.g., the African Countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria,  and Asian Countries Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sir Lanka, etc.).

 

              I am proud that the UWHKF is definitely in the “Top Place” in actual numbers of students and national members outside of Korea.  This has been a result of our group’s great efforts and passion throughout the world and our publically available and extensive archive of the activities of each national member with photos and video clips in HK in overseas on our website (www.haedong-kumdo.org).

 

              After the 2009 HK World Championship in Korea, more than 20 national members in the beginning stage in HK will be activated and start promoting their activities.  This will be a good opportunity to give them encouragement and motivation to spread and develop it.

 

              In the year 2009, the plan will is to have more than 40 fully active national members.  At the end of 2010, I expect there will be more than 60 countries with well-organized HK Unions.        In 5 years the UWHKF national members are expected to number more than 100 countries.  Every year the individual national members will have their own International HK Championships.  Each HK union will have its own Championships every other year, and the UWHKF World Championship will be taken place every 4 years.

 

              The Continental HK Union has projected that there will be hundreds of Black Belts in UWHKF promoted each year.

 

              In the USA, I am not sure how many clubs and trainees will be show up soon because business in USA is not clear.  However, I can expect some states which do not have HK Rep at present will soon join.

 

              The UWHKF and USA HK Association will try to do our best so that all HK representation will include all states in USA at least within 5 years.  At that time each state will also be able to organize their HK events independently such as championship, Black Belt Tests, and so on.

 

SAC:  How did your background, training and education contribute to the UWHKF and its current success under your leadership as founder and President?

 

GM KIM:          I am indebted to my instructors for all they taught me.  As you may know, before beginning my training in HK, I was involved in many different Martial Arts, and through this training, I was able to develop quickly in HK.  The training in these other Martial Arts laid the foundation.  Once I took my first lesson in HK, many those years ago, I knew that this was the Martial Art I wanted to follow all my live.  I have never looked back.

             

              I think that hard training in Martial Arts steels the mind and body, for me especially, the hard training made me determined to succeed, and this is probably one of the most important lessons which I learned through Martial Arts.  Never give up.  When things go wrong for you, or don’t work out as you expected, keep going, step by step towards your goal.

 

SAC:     Could you describe the upcoming UWHKF Competition in Busan, Korea, which is scheduled for July 25-26 in 2009?  I understand that the projected participants  should easily  exceed 1,000 from over 25 different countries.

 

GM KIM:          We hope that many people will take part in the 2009 WHKD Championships.  Now-a-days it is easy for people to get to Korea, much easier than before, so this is a dual opportunity.  It is a chance for people to compete in a prestigious world championship, and it is a chance for people to see Korea, and experience Korean culture.

 

            During the 2008 World Performance, we had visitors from many countries, and after experiencing just a little of Korean culture they are already planning to return.  This is a great statement for Korea and the Korean people, that people from other nations feel welcome and enjoy our beautiful country.

 

            For the Championship itself, we have competition for all ages, and all grades in Kumbup, Create Kumbups, Cutting, Creative Sparring and Freestyle Sparring, so no matter what your age, grade or experience level, you can compete.  I don’t know of many World Championships which accommodate so many levels of ability.

 

            We hope that everyone will enjoy the event, most especially the students who are the future of HK.  We are very busy now preparing our judges and referees, and I will be traveling again coming up to the event to teach referees and judges from many different countries to ensure that there can be absolutely no bias.  It is not just important for people to get fair play, they have to feel that they are getting fair play.  By having referees and judges from many different nations, we can achieve this.

 

SAC:    Thanks for allowing me to conduct this interview and for educating us on the UWHKF.  Could you provide contact information for schools, clubs, individuals interested in learning more about the organization and/or its upcoming events (both in the USA and internationally)?

 

GM KIM:          You’re very welcome.  You can contact Moon Kap Kim, the USA President (mkkimma@yahoo.com) or visit the UWHKF web site (www.haedong-kumdo.org).