Kuk Sool Won

Kuk Sool Won

Kuk Sool Won students practice self defense techniques
Focus	Hybrid
Country of origin	Korea
Parenthood	Korean martial arts
Official website	http://www.kuksoolwon.com

Kuk Sool Won
Hangul	국술원
Hanja	國術院
Revised Romanization	Guk Sul Won
McCune–Reischauer	Kuk Sul Wǒn

Kuk Sool Won Milestones
1961 (1961): Kuk Sool Won is founded by In Hyuk Suh 1960s 1961 (1961): Korean Kuk Sool Association is founded 1966 (1966): First Kuk Sool Won tournament held in Jang Choong gymnasium in Seoul 1970s 1972 (1972): Kuk Sool Won recognized in the World Athletics dictionary as a traditional Korean martial art 1973 (1973): Kuk Sool Won dojang established in The United States 1974 (1974): In Hyuk Suh emigrates to The United States 1975 (1975): World Kuk Sool Association established in San Francisco 1975 (1975): Kuk Sool Won dojang established in the United Kingdom 1976 (1976): Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism produces the documentary film "Ho Kuk Moo Yea" (Arts Used to Defend the Nation). Kuk Sool Won masters featured prominently in this film 1977 (1977): Kuk Sool Won dojang established in Venezuela 1978 (1978): Panama International Film Festival bestows Culture Award to Kuk Sool Won for its role in the documentary, Ho Kuk Moo Yea 1978 (1978): Commenced annual seminars and special training in U.S.A. 1980s 1982 (1982): Kuk Sool Won sponsors first open tournament in San Francisco 1984 (1984): In Hyuk Suh honored as "Man of the Year" by Black Belt magazine 1984 (1984): Kuk Sool Won dojang established in Iran 1985 (1985): Publication of Kuk Sool Won handbooks and instructional videos 1988 (1988): In Hyuk Suh honored as "Instructor of the Year" by Inside Kung Fu magazine 1988 (1988): Commenced annual seminars and special training in United Kingdom 1990s 1990 (1990): First Kuk Sool Won tournament held in Canada 1990 (1990): Commenced annual seminars and special training in Canada 1991 (1991): Kuk Sool Won instruction made available as an extra curricular activity at the West Point Military Academy 1991 (1991): Kuk Sool Won dojang established in Germany 1991 (1991): World Kuk Sool Won headquarters relocated to Houston, Texas 1991 (1991): Twenty-five American cities hold "Kuk Sool Won Day" 1992 (1992): In Hyuk Suh honored by presentation of commander’s sword by West Point Military Academy 1993 (1993): In Hyuk Suh honored as "Master of the Year" by Tae Kwon Do Times magazine 1994 (1994): In Hyuk Suh honored by presentation of commander’s sword by U. S. Air Force Academy 1994 (1994): Several universities in the U.S.A. include Kuk Sool Won as a regular athletic activity 1995 (1995): Kuk Sool Won hosts First Annual Tournament at the U.S. Military Academy 1996 (1996): Kuk Sool Won dojang established in the Netherlands 1998 (1998): In Hyuk Suh awarded Seogryu Order, Medal of Civil merit by government of South Korea 1998 (1998): Commenced annual seminars and special training in Europe 1999 (1999): Kuk Sool Won dojang established in Spain 1999 (1999): Victory of a Little Giant, a special documentary about In Hyuk Suh produced by the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS aired 3/17) 2000s 2000 (2000): Kuk Sool Won recognized as an Official Governing Body for martial arts by the South Korean Government 2000 (2000): Kuk Sool Won participates in the KyungJu Cultural Expo, demonstration members include masters from all over the world and conclude with a final performance for the President of South Korea 2001 (2001): World Kuk Sool Association headquarters relocated to Tomball, Texas 2001 (2001): Establishment of a traditional Korean martial arts complex that includes a training hall, meditation center, equestrian facility and archery range 2002 (2002): International Kuk Sool Won tournament and televised master’s demonstration held in Gyeongju Civic Auditorium 2005 (2005): Kuk Sa Nim receives full-scholar Professor appointment from Young-San University in Pusan, South Korea, This appointment to a professorship is not an honorary one, but it allows Kuk Sa Nim to visit and lecture as guest lecturer on a regular basis, his position in the university allows Kuk Sool Won practitioners to attend and receive a college degree, the university will also offer a Kuk Sool Won degree under its Martial Arts Department 2008 (2008): First promotion of a non-Korean (Barry Harmon) and a female (Choon Ok Harmon) to the rank of 9th degree in Kuk Sool Won 2008 (2008): 50th Anniversary Celebrated in Katy, Texas 2010s 2010 (2010): Kuk Sool Won dojang established in Ireland 2011 (2011): Kuk Sool Won dojang established in Norway

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Kuk Sool Won (Hangul: 국술원) is a Korean martial arts system founded by Suh In-Hyuk (Hangul: 서인혁), the kuk sa nim (grandmaster) in 1961. The name Kuk Sool Won translates to "National Martial Art Association" and despite often being shortened to "Kuk Sool", the name kuk sool (국술; 國術) is a non-trademarked name used to denote similar Korean martial arts developed prior to or about the same time as the formation of Kuk Sool Won. Kuk Sool Won is currently taught world-wide and since it was founded as a martial arts system and not merely as a martial arts style, Kuk Sool Won does not consider itself limited to any single discipline. It attempts to be a comprehensive study of all traditional Korean martial arts. Suh In Hyuk's philosophy regarding his system is to "Integrate and explore the entire spectrum of established traditional Korean martial arts, body conditioning techniques, mental development, and weapons training."

The study of Kuk Sool Won includes many modern day techniques such as gun defense and weapon improvisation. Kuk Sool Won has many facets and is performed for self-defense, healing, conditioning, competition, fun and aesthetic purposes.

Kuk Sool Won encompasses many different traditional Korean "arts". However, it still has some discernible characteristics that set it apart from other traditional martial arts. It is typically characterized by having low stances and fluid, graceful motions. There is also an emphasis on joint locks and pressure points. Kuk Sool Won is also described as being a hard-soft style, which includes hard and forceful strikes in addition to circular and fluid movements.

Kuk Sool Won students are all expected to abide by the Kuk Sool Won Pledge

One of the key aspects of Kuk Sool Won revolves around the theory of "You Won Hwa". Translated literally, this would mean roughly "Water Circle Harmony". The first part, 'you' (flowing, as in water), symbolizes adaptability and softness as well as power. The second part, 'won' (circle), suggest that there is a personal circle around you, and that one should always be active and ready to redirect aggression. The redirecting of attacks in Kuk Sool Won is typically characterized by circular movements. The third and final part, 'hwa' (harmony/unity), represents the desire to achieve harmony between mind and body. In practice this is obtained through repetition. The idea is to combine these three aspects and use them to govern all of the practitioner's movements.

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