The Future Direction of Haedong Kumdo Through an Interview (한글 및 영문번역)

[HAEDONG]

Title: The Future Direction of Haedong Kumdo Through an Interview with the Author of the First Doctoral Dissertation had in 2020

:Translated in English from an interview conducted by JS Kim on February 25, 2024, which was originally recorded in Korean on March 4, 2020. The interview reflects situations and circumstances that occurred approximately four years ago.

Through the years of practicing Haedong Kumdo, I meet somebody who is writing a doctoral dissertation. As the headmaster and a student working on the dissertation in Haedong Kumdo, I applaud his passion and dedication to the art. I hope he becomes a role model for many practitioners of Haedong Kumdo.

On March 4, 2020, I gladly responded to his interview request. While hoping it will be of great help to his dissertation, I want to share the interview contents via social media for others to contemplate, as some parts may be familiar to practitioners and instructors of Haedong Kumdo, while others may not. Just before the national Haedong Kumdo association's six branches put their respective associations aside and unite under the "Haedong Kumdo Council," established by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to unify techniques and certifications, we are on the brink of starting activities.

With the unified council, I am confident in the future development of Haedong Kumdo. These thoughts are brief narratives derived from personal reflections, so they may not be sufficient, but I have answered them to the best of my ability.

**Questionnaire on Haedong Kumdo**

1. What is your name and your position within the association?

Kim Jeong Seong, President and Founder of the United World Haedong Kumdo Federation: Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu

2. Please provide a brief introduction to the organization you are currently affiliated with.


Based on the existing HK training system, the Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu system was created to complement and upgrade the deficiencies of the existing HK training system. It is based on the Ssangsukum (both hands together)  and Weisukum (one sword with single hand) training system. Currently, it is being promoted and practiced in around 50 countries worldwide.
While the Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu system has been disseminated to over 50 countries worldwide, However, nowadays it appears that active participation and engagement are observed in approximately over 20 countries.
 
3. When did you Haedong Kumdo begin?

Haedong Kumdo club was first opened in Busan in 1991, starting from white belt training to the present as a first-generation HK black belt in the city of Busan, Korea. Since beginning my training in Haedong Kumdo in 1991, 
I have never taken a break and have been continuously practicing up to the present day.

4. Could you share about your past experiences with Haedong Kumdo?

During my colored belts period, I always washed and wore two sets of uniforms every day,
and Haedong Kumdo was always on my mind.
 
As a master, I carried swords everywhere, formed and led clubs,
and as an instructor, regardless of rank, I learned, imitated, and pondered.
 
As the founder and president of the United World Haedong Kumdo Federation, I have organized two events every year.
One is a competition where participants showcase their skills and improve their stamina through matches, and the other is a performance on the stage where individuals can express their creativity to the fullest.

Up to this point, I have been hosting overseas seminars and competitions approximately 8 to 10 times a year,
spreading Korean culture and martial arts philosophy along with Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo training to every corner of the globe.
 
5. Why have you been practicing Haedong Kumdo up until now, and what significant event led you to pursue Haedong Kumdo?
While practicing Haedong Kumdo, I found myself unable to express the charm that deepens with each moment of practice, and the endlessly unsatisfied and hungry heart.
However, through training, as one comes to understand the essence and fundamentals of martial arts, and becomes capable of perceiving the flow of energy through oneself and the opponent, when physical training and mental cultivation are correctly connected,

1) One naturally becomes aware of the ultimate purpose of human life,
2) Realizes that each day's routine is always fresh,
3) Recognizes the perpetual insufficiency inherent in being human,

One inevitably continues training throughout life.

Because, it's for self-improvement, maturity, and development, and that's why I continue to practice with enjoyment and maintain my physical fitness.
 
The newspaper article mentioning the combination of candle extinguishing and meditation with sword training captured my attention, leading me to immediately join in 1991 and continue practicing Haedong Kumdo until now in 2024. Prior to my Haedong Kumdo training, I had already experienced other martial arts such as Hapkido, Judo, Kickboxing, and Taekwondo, starting from the age of 12. Surprisingly, I can see now that I am still using what I learned as a boy who first started training in Hapkido at the age of 12.

6. Do you believe any personal characteristics you possess would contribute to the development of Haedong Kumdo?

Rather than personal characteristics, I believe that the diverse experiences gained through my training in Haedong Kumdo, both domestically and internationally, serve as the driving force behind accelerating and focusing on the consciousness levels and skills of modern practitioners. This, in turn, leads to the development of Haedong Kumdo, specifically the Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu created in my own style.

7. What sense of responsibility do you believe one should have as a pioneer of Haedong Kumdo, and why?


My wish is to continue training alongside my students, building up the strength of the mind and body, as long as I am able to move my body until the end of my life. Because, that is the ultimate and best pursuit for oneself and future generations within the human experience.
 
 
8. How much have you contributed to the birth of Haedong Kumdo?

In 1998, I gathered 33 local masters who were operating gymnasiums in Busan to establish the Busan Haedong Kumdo Association, laying the groundwork for the revitalization of Haedong Kumdo in the region.

- In 2001, the first successful Haedong Kumdo performance took place at the Busan Cultural Center.
- The first Haedong Kumdo textbooks, including the Two Sword Textbook Series 1 and 2, were published.
- The first Haedong Kumdo English textbook and French textbook were published and distributed in South Africa and France.
- The "Right Path of Practice" series for spiritual training consisting of 5 volumes was published in Korean.
- The English editions "Think Out Of The Box through the HK Training" and "Searching for the Forgotten Half in Martial Arts" were published.

Additional details can be found on my resume website.

9. What are your thoughts on the overall direction of Haedong Kumdo?

The current direction of Haedong Kumdo and the association remains stagnant and unable to escape retrogression. I am confident that a new direction will be set when we can adhere to the ongoing policy of "traditional martial arts designation led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism."

10. What do you consider to be the key issues in the development process of Haedong Kumdo?

In the process of development, it's common to categorize key issues into training systems and promotion as well as management systems. However, I believe that raising the consciousness levels of leaders should be emphasized as the most crucial issue. This is because it leads to the creation of excellent leaders for Haedong Kumdo, which in turn forms the fundamental basis for advancing Haedong Kumdo. 

11. How have conflicts surrounding key issues been resolved?
This answer together in item 12
12. What are the problems with the educational curriculum of Haedong Kumdo?

Martial arts training requires the integration of physical and mental aspects. Currently, the existing Haedong Kumdo's training system is well-equipped for physical training such as techniques and cutting, but it lacks a systematic approach to guide students through stages to understand the flow of energy (the core of mental training) from the beginning. When viewed from a broader perspective of martial arts training, the Haedong Kumdo system is incomplete. This deficiency is well explained in the upcoming Korean edition, " Searching for the Forgotten Half in the Martial Arts(읽어버린 무술의 반쪽을 찾아서,한글판, 미출간)."
The already published English edition, "Searching for the Forgotten Half in Martial Arts," also provides detailed explanations. You can read about the introduction and table of contents of these publications on the website provided.

○ A Must-read for Martial Artists and Practitioners :  " Searching For The Forgotten Half in Martial Arts" - Korean Version
http://m.cafe.daum.net/enlightenment-k/dcM5/132?svc=cafeapp

무술수련자와 수행자(구도자)를 위한 필독서

 
13. Why do you think Haedong Kumdo is not officially recognized by the Korea Sports Council?
 
Kendo (대한검도) being established prior to Haedong Kumdo (해동검도) could have been a concern.
However, now that Haedong Kumdo has been designated as a traditional martial art under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and its activities are beginning as a singular martial art, there should be no problem as long as it meets the criteria for formal recognition by the Korea Sports Council.
 
14. What programs should be implemented for Haedong Kumdo to emerge as a unique presence among traditional martial arts?
 
If we divide the training in Haedong Kumdo or most other martial arts into two main aspects, there's one missing element. Martial arts originally involve training with bare hands and weapons, encompassing both visible (physical) and invisible (mental) aspects of strength. However, there's a lack of a system for teaching the invisible aspect. This is well explained in the upcoming book(Korean version) "Searching For the Forgotten Half in Martial Arts(읽어버린 무술의 반쪽을 찾아서)". Being a unique presence at the current stage would naturally entail having a higher number of practitioners, superior skills, and an educational system of qualitative excellence compared to other martial arts.
 
15. Does the concept of Samurang advocated in Haedong Kumdo actually exist? If so, what evidence supports it?
 
About more than 20 years ago, efforts were made to find evidence of its existence, but none was found. Even inquiries were made to a prominent professor who researches the Goguryeo era, which was one of the strongest dynasties in Korea, but no evidence was found. As long as it cannot be substantiated with historical evidence, it should not be mentioned in Haedong Kumdo. It's a widely acknowledged fact that even many foreign practitioners perceive it as fake.
 
16. Is the figure of Jangbaeksan mentioned in Haedong Kumdo fictional or based on a real person?
If it's real, what evidence supports it?
 
It's fictional. There is no evidence to support its existence.
 
17. Haedong Kumdo elders discuss the possibility of Haedong Kumdo disappearing like Jung Do Sool.
What do you think about this?
 
Rather than saying that the martial art disappears, it might be more accurate to say that currently, many practitioners are not well-informed, and one can't easily find training centers nearby. I have been someone who has consistently discussed the rise and fall of Jung Do Sool's popularity at certain points. However, the situation is different now. If designated as a traditional martial art by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, it will continue to thrive.
 
18. Haedong Kumdo's organizations were thriving until recently when its affiliation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism became unclear. What are your thoughts on this?
 
The designation of traditional martial arts under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is a government policy for the future of Korean traditional martial arts, not merely about good conditions for affiliation. It should be seen more as each individual's obligation for the development of Haedong Kumdo. Although it's a well-established fact that the representatives of each association have contributed to the development of Haedong Kumdo, it's very difficult for them to abandon the honor and privileges they enjoyed due to the collapse of the existing association system, which has to adapt to the changing times and society, similar to major transformative periods in history such as the abolition of slavery, transition from feudalism, or the industrial revolution.
 
Currently, all association systems can be likened to political systems, either socialist or authoritarian. They need to transition into a democratic system. In other words, under the concept of "Haedong Kumdo" as a single discipline, it should evolve freely within the current societal system, shared and developed according to individual passions and capabilities. The perception of general dojang masters may be clouded by the traditional association system they have been deeply ingrained in, preventing them from having a clear understanding.
 
19. What measures should be taken to address the decline in the number of Haedong Kumdo dojangs, attributed to the lack of programs and the ignorance of masters?
 
I don't necessarily attribute the shortage of dojangs solely to the absence of programs or a lack of awareness among leaders.
From the perspective of the number of dojangs, if we consider Haedong Kumdo as a discipline that can establish departments in as many universities as Taekwondo has, it could thrive. For example, just like during the IMF crisis when Taekwondo dojangs were closing, there were still consistent outputs of individuals trained in university Taekwondo departments.
 
20. Does historical documentation exist for Haedong Kumdo?
If so, how was traditional swordsmanship referred to in ancient documents?
 
There is none. It's a modern martial art like Taekwondo, Judo, or Hapkido.
 
21. What are the characteristics and values of traditional martial arts?
 
Rather than focusing on the characteristics and values of Haedong Kumdo as traditional martial arts, it's more appropriate to consider enhancing its characteristics and values based on authenticity, given that it is a martial art created in modern times.
 
22. What social and cultural backgrounds led to the emergence of Haedong Kumdo?
 
Around 1982, the social and cultural background at that time had little relevance to the emergence of Haedong Kumdo. It surged into prominence as a Korean traditional martial art with a distinct Korean identity, competing against Kendo. Personally, I believe it was a stroke of perfect timing and luck.
Many masters of Chinese martial arts, Taekwondo, Hapkido, among others, flocked to it. Rarely did the initial dojang openings start with masters training from white belt levels. However, it is also true that through special short-term instructor training courses, many qualified instructors contributed to the rapid spread of Haedong Kumdo.
 
23. What is the current state of Haedong Kumdo, and do you think it's progressing well?
 
Compared to the situation a decade ago, in terms of the number of practitioners and dojang numbers, it may not seem promising. However, once designated as a single martial art under the government's jurisdiction as "traditional martial arts," the association system might disappear (there will be no president, representative, or owner of the association), and it may naturally continue as a single entity of Haedong Kumdo.
 
24. What are the human resource conditions of Haedong Kumdo currently, such as clubs or instructors?
 
The number of practitioners may be decreasing, but once recognized as one Hk martial art by the government, both clubs and human resources will naturally fall under the management of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or local authorities.
 
25. Could you describe the current activities of Haedong Kumdo internally and externally in detail based on your experiences?
 
Refer to my credentials on this site for more detailed information.

https://m.cafe.daum.net/uwhkf/JvX2/90?svc=cafeapp

■활동내역 요약(진영쌍검류 해동검도)

26. How can Haedong Kumdo overcome the tendency to be constantly entangled in its historical and traditional aspects?
 
It's simple. Just refrain from making up stories or stories that don't exist. Haedong Kumdo can be clearly explained as one of the modern martial arts.
 
27. Lastly, based on your experiences with Haedong Kumdo so far, what are your thoughts on its future?
 
In 2009, I discussed the need for unity under one Haedong Kumdo association in an article for a martial arts newspaper. At that time, there were numerous Haedong Kumdo associations, but now, the Haedong Kumdo Council, formed to work towards the designation of Haedong Kumdo as one martial art, is about to start its activities.
Six associations have come together to form the Haedong Kumdo Council as one corporation, and they will soon pave the way for a unified Haedong Kumdo. I am confident that many local masters will participate.
Because the representatives (presidents) of the six Haedong Kumdo associations in Korea will follow the policies led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the future of Haedong Kumdo, abandoning their individual associations. The Haedong Kumdo Council, with the participation of many local masters, instructors, and practitioners, will be the first step towards the future development of Haedong Kumdo.
While there are still two associations operating independently, I hope they will join us at some point.
The Haedong Kumdo Council, formed as part of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's initiative to designate traditional martial arts, will be the first step towards the future development of Haedong Kumdo.
 
 
 ■ Reference;
 https://cafe.daum.net/uwhkf/MbWZ/20?svc=cafeapi   -  In Korean 국문

■ https://m.cafe.daum.net/uwhkf/DvEa/647?svc=cafeapp

My interview before the USA HK Seminar 2024 🇺🇸