USAT Martial Arts Commission Formed

November 30, 2007

The fundamental purpose of the USA Taekwondo Martial Arts Commission is to assist and advise the CEO/Secretary General of USA Taekwondo in a variety of matters including: restoration of traditional Taekwondo values to promote human development through education, training, application, and teaching; preservation of the history of Taekwondo in the USA (including recognition of Taekwondo pioneers); renewal of memberships of and benefits to those excluded from the NGB by previous administrations; and, support for the CEO/Secretary General to further the US Olympic movement.

Furthering its initiative to restore martial arts traditions and values to the practice of Taekwondo, the USA Taekwondo Martial Arts Commission took a giant step forward by conducting its inaugural meeting in conjunction with the USA Taekwondo Junior Olympics and Senior Nationals in San Jose, California from July 9 - 11, 2007. The highlight of the meeting was the induction of more than 50 grandmasters and select masters and instructors as founding members, and the presentation of special awards from the World Taekwondo Federation and Kukkiwon to practitioners who have distinguished themselves with their contributions to Taekwondo in USA.

"This is a special day," said Commission co-chair Senior Grandmaster Joon P. Choi. "Previous leadership lost sight of Taekwondo as a holistic discipline for human development. Now we are back on track." Choi and co-chair Senior Grandmaster Hong Kong Kim are the driving force behind the creation of the Commission. "We worked very hard for this moment," said Kim. "We are grateful to USAT CEO/Secretary General David Askinas for his recognition of the importance of what the Commission will restore to Taekwondo. The true substance of Taekwondo study will now be preserved for the benefit of our entire society."