Korean Martial Arts
Hee Kwan Lee's Hap Ki Do
Theory
Terminology
Recommended Exercise
School Rules
Hap Ki Do
History
Yong Sul Choi
The true history of Hap Ki Do is a controversial subject, but regardless of whom you talk to the history of Hap Ki Do stems from one man, Master Young Sool Choi (1904-1986). Master Choi was born in Korea and was adopted by a Japanese family and was sent to grow up in Japan. At a very young age he was sent to a Buddhist temple in Japan. Being a disruptive boy, the head of the temple sent Master Choi to a friend of his. Sensei Takeda Sokaku took Master Choi and began to teach him the Martial Arts. Master Choi's training with Sensei Takeda Sokaku was in the art of Daito-ryu aikijujutsu. After many years he came back to Korea to live.
On Saturday, February 21, 1948 Master Choi was in Korea helping at a brewery when a dispute broke out. The Chairman of the brewery Master Suh watched as Master Choi defended himself against several men. Master Suh called Master Choi into his office and asked if he would teach him these techniques. Master Choi asked what kind of training Master Suh had, and then asked Master Suh to throw him. Master Suh a 1st Dan in Judo, attacked Master Choi, and Master Choi applied a pain technique. The training between Master Suh and Master Choi began the next day. Master Suh paid Master Choi in both money and grain to teach him these techniques.
On February 12, 1951 Master Choi And Master Suh started their first school called the Korean Yu Kwan Sool Hapki Dojang. It was here that Master Choi trained many prominent Hap Ki Do masters including Master Ji, Han Jae, Won Kwang-Wha, Kim Moo Hong (Kim Moo Hyun), Kim Jung Yoon, and many others Masters.