KUCHING, May 15: World Moo Duk Kwan Asia Pacific Regional Ambassador Master Seong Kyun Nah from South Korea was in Kuching recently on a goodwill visit to mark a global exchange between two sister cities; between Kuching and Guro District, Seoul, South Korea.
According to a press release, the Mayor of Kuching South Datuk James Chan met the Sarawak Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan delegates at his office. This effort contributes to strengthening relations between the people of both cities and to promote cultural understanding. Coincidentally, the Kuching main gym was once situated along Jalan Petanak under the Jurisdiction of Kuching City South Council Area.
In addition to this goodwill visit, Master Seong was also in Kuching to revitalise the interest in the art of Soo Bahk Do and conducted a Special Soo Bahk Do Friendship Seminar at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) premises on May 8.
The Moo Duk Kwan (武德館 – “Martial Virtue”) school was founded in 1945 by Grandmaster Hwang Kee after the occupation of South Korea by the Japanese had ended. In 1994, Soo Bahk Do (手搏道 – “Hand Strike Way”), originally referred to as Hwa Soo Do (Art of the Flower Hand) and later Tang Soo Do, became the official trademarked style practiced under Moo Duk Kwan to differentiate it from its offshoots and assure the grandmaster’s standards of excellence and quality throughout the organisation. This unique non-profit martial arts education organization serves to ensure consistency and uniformity in Soo Bahk Do schools all over the world.
Soo Bahk Do teaches the science behind proper breathing and movement and is most notable for its use of a vast array of kicks, while emphasising the very active use of the hip to generate force in each movement performed. It is a versatile, balanced, hard and soft style which uses both fast striking techniques and slow flowing motion. Today, the founder’s son Grandmaster H.C. Hwang heads the World Moo Duk Kwan organisation in Seoul, South Korea.
The Moo Duk Kwan Malaysia was established in 1967 through the late Dr YY Lee when he brought in Korean Masters, Hwa Yong Chung (#410), Soon Ho Chang (#3722) to teach Tang Soo Do. It has since then spread all over Malaysia.
For further information, please contact Master Dunstan Langgi (010-9751640) and Master Owen Tan (019-2715000). — DayakDaily
