A New Chapter for Haedong Kumdo in Europe: Reflections from Belgium 2025

[HAEDONG]

📷 Featured Reflection by Ben De Busser

My reflection on the 1st Belgian seminar and championships:

I had the honor to host the first ever international Belgian seminar of the JSKR(Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu) Haedong Kumdo of the United World Haedong Kumdo Federation.

It was a challenging event to host, considering there were many dan testing candidates, a first ever Belgian Open Championship and of course the seminar itself to host.

A lot had to be accomplished before CJN Kim arrived, which I only could have done with the help of my former teacher, master Harrie Beckers.

So big thanks to him for standing by me when I had questions or doubts about some parts of the organization.

He is the reason we joined the JSKR of the UWHKF. He set me on the path to black belt and beyond.

In short I have a lot to thank him for, and this is only my doing, my achievement, because he believed in me and kept on pushing my limits.

Thank you!

Looking back, everything went smoothly. But at the time it didn’t feel like it was going as smooth as it seemed.
We started on Thursday with the black belt testing, in which I took part to be promoted for 3rd degree black belt.

So there was a lot of organizing and planning, which gave me less and less time to prepare myself.

I also had no time to think about it or stress even for a little bit. Only the 30 minutes before the exam, I realized I hadn’t spend enough time going trough every kumbop I could think of.

There were errors and mistakes I had to get rid of before the exam was there. Then the panic hits me, the awful moment of realization you didn’t do enough. The feeling you lack the skills to promote yourself in the testing.

But then I had to stand up, do the exam and find myself in a completely relaxing zone.

My comfort zone with the sword in hand. I did what I had to do and passed the test. Proving to myself to be prepared for the promotion.

Persuading the judges to hand me the 3rd dan. Getting rid of the stress and feeling my inner self calm and steady, ready to show what I can do. That gave me the boost I needed for the rest of the weekend. I was proud of myself, not only for my own promotion but also for the promotion of Martijn.

The entire Dutch team did great too, they were phenomenal to put in one word. I admire Dominics skill with the sword.
He is a good teacher and also must have felt really proud for the entire Netherlands which he represents, delivering seven new black belts degrees over the weekend.

After the exams, everything went smoothly. The seminars were great. There was a lot of new stuff for everybody, that way everyone was very content.

All the feedback I got was positive! Great weekend… Good organization… Nicely done with the championships and the demonstration…

Everybody seemed to enjoy it. For that alone I would want to do it again.
But not only that!
I myself had a great experience. With every day checked off and we reached the end, I could enjoy more and more. It was a heavy week. The long days ware rough.
But I would do it all again if I could. And I can! I want to organize a new event for sure.

In 2027, in two years, I will invite Grandmaster Kim again to come to Belgium if possible.

I really enjoyed the weekend, hosting, training, teaching, … I want to do it again.

When all is done, I look back in a way that this seminar changed my view on the part of being representative of the Belgian HK JSKR association. I am now more capable, I have more insights then before, I think in a broader way and I am not only small-minded but very open for all input. I have new ways to improve myself and not only physically. I find myself looking more inward to who I am and I have to find myself in the center of my own universe.

This seminar gave me more perspective on Haedong Kumdo, on my lifestyle and on my relationships.

It may seem farfetched, but it might have changed my a bit. Now I start thinking where I want to go with my school. I have set goals in different timetables to achieve.
Where do I want to go with my own club Haedong Kumdo Herenthout.

Why do I want it? How can I get there? What do I need to achieve such goals, dreams even?

These questions have no risen and will not go away easily. They are hard to answer and will take time to think about. But time is something I have and want to spend on meditating about these topics.

When thinking ahead, I know now there is room for improvement. I would somethings differently of not at all. Somethings I would add to the seminar. Of course is there always room for improvement.

Going to many seminars abroad have prevented me from doing something stupid. They prepared me when I was there. Not only was I training, I was learning how to organize. What to do and what not to do… Important things I couldn’t forget and others I best not do.
Only financially I have to be able to make the new seminar. Certain purchases are new now, but are reusable for a future event. So it that way, I already started planning the 2nd HK seminar in Belgium. I really liked to enthusiasm of everybody.

The big number of participants was astonishing. I put a lot of money, work and effort into this first event and got nothing but love for it. It reminded me why I did it in the first place.

I put Belgium on the HK JSKR map and will keep on developing the group of both Mudori Lanaken and Haedong Kumdo Herenthout.
We will grow, we will develop, we will be back…

June 14, 2025

Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo Belgian representative
Ben De Busser


🗂 Title
A New Chapter for Haedong Kumdo in Europe: Reflections from Belgium 2025
유럽 해동검도의 새로운 장 – 2025 벨기에 세미나를 돌아보며

■ Grandmaster’s Message

I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Ben De Busser for his tremendous effort and dedication in organizing the 2025 Belgian Seminar and Championship of Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo.

Hosting such a large-scale event—coordinating seminars, dan tests, and the first-ever Belgian Open Championship—is no easy task.

Yet Ben handled it all with courage, responsibility, and deep commitment. His reflection shows not only his organizational skills but also the sincere growth he achieved through this journey—as a martial artist and as a leader.

It is clear that he poured his heart into this event, and the results were truly outstanding. I also thank all the members of the Belgian and Dutch group with German and Bulgarian HK teams, and also Keith joined from the USA, including those who earned new black belt ranks, for their efforts and spirit.

Ben, you have put Belgium firmly on the global Haedong Kumdo map. Your vision and determination will serve as a strong foundation for future growth.

I am proud of your achievement, and I look forward to returning to Belgium in 2027 to continue this meaningful path together.

Let us keep walking the Way—with strength, sincerity, and heart.

Haedong!♡

June 15, 2025

With respect,
GM Jeong Seong Kim
President & Founder United World Haedong Kumdo Federation


#JinyoungSsangkumRyu #HaedongKumdo #BelgiumHK2025
#MartialArtsSeminar #HKChampionship #BlackBeltTesting
#SpiritAndSword #GrowthThroughTraining #GlobalHKFamily
#UnitedWorldHKF #MasteryAndMindfulness #ThankYouBen
#JSKRInEurope #TheWayContinues

In Korean 국문번역

■ 총재 메시지:

2025년 벨기에에서 열린 진영쌍검류 해동검도 세미나 및 챔피언십을 성공적으로 주최한 Ben De Busser 사범에게 깊은 감사와 격려의 말씀을 전합니다.

세미나, 단심사, 그리고 벨기에 최초의 오픈 챔피언십까지 아우르는 이번 행사는 결코 쉽지 않은 여정이었을 것입니다. 그러나 Ben 사범은 그 모든 것을 책임감 있게 이끌었고, 그 과정 속에서 보여준 헌신과 성장은 단순한 조직 능력을 넘어, 무도인으로서 그리고 지도자로서의 성숙을 보여주는 귀한 발자취였습니다.

그가 남긴 회고록을 통해, 우리는 한 개인의 수련과 변화, 그리고 그 중심에 있는 ‘검을 든 마음’의 의미를 다시금 되새기게 됩니다.
또한 벨기에와 네덜란드 수련생들, 그리고 참석한 독일, 불가리아, 미국의 수련생 및 각사범들, 모두의 수고와 열정에도 깊이 감사드립니다.

Ben 사범은 이번 행사를 통해 벨기에를 세계 해동검도 무대 위에 우뚝 세웠습니다. 그의 비전과 의지는 앞으로 더 큰 발전의 초석이 될 것입니다. 나는 그의 노력이 자랑스럽고, 2027년 다시 벨기에를 방문해 이 뜻깊은 길을 함께 이어가기를 기대합니다.

우리 모두, 길 위에서
힘과 진심, 그리고 따뜻한 마음으로 함께 걸어갑시다.

해동!

김정성 총재
사)세계해동검도연합회

#진영쌍검류 #해동검도 #벨기에해동검도2025
#무도세미나 #해동검도챔피언십 #단심사
#검과마음의수련 #함께성장하기 #세계해동검도가족
#김정성총재 #수련의길 #벤사범수고하셨습니다
#유럽해동검도 #길은계속된다