Soo Bahk Do (hand strike way) is both a hard and soft style classical martial art which dates back 2000 years to ancient Korea. Its modern history begins in 1945 when Kwan Jin Nim (Grandmaster) Hwang Kee founded his first school under the name of Moo Duk Kwan. Soo Bahk Do, for many years known as Tang Soo Do, is not a sport; its primary goal is not competitive. However, it does lend itself well to combative situations. Being a well-balanced style, Soo Bahk Do offers a wide array of kicks, hand strikes, and stances representative of hard styles (e.g. Karate) as well as softer stances and more fluid motions that are indicative of the softer styles (e.g. Tai Chi). In addition, Soo Bahk Do teaches joint locks and self-defense techniques against armed and unarmed opponents. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan, as a classical Korean martial art, develops every aspect of the self: intellect, body, emotion, and spirit. This awareness creates an opportunity for a person to handle conflict in a mature, intelligent, forthright, and virtuous manner. Soo Bahk Do is currently practiced by hundreds of thousands of students worldwide with nearly 40,000 dan (black belt) members. UP

The Moo Duk Kwan was established by Grand Master Hwang Kee on November 9, 1945 in Soeul, Korea. The Moo Duk Kwan teachings are based on philosophical principles that contribute to the human development of internal, external, and spiritual power. Moo Duk Kwan is "a brotherhood and school for stopping inner and outer conflict and developing virtue by way of the worthy hand." Soo Bahk Do is the technique and Moo Duk Kwan is the philosophy. The Moo Duk Kwan system teaches its members not only Soo Bahk Do techniques but also ethical and Moo Do (martial way) discipline. Through this system, a precious tradition of Soo Bahk Do is maintained. Using Soo Bahk Do as a means of understanding eastern wisdom can improve one's life in every way. UP

Hwang Kee Founder, Moo Duk Kwan (1914-2002) Bio coming soon. UP

Hwang H.C. Grand Master, Moo Duk Kwan Bio coming soon.   UP