Grandmaster of the Year: Dr. He-Young Kimm Born in the Suwon region of Korea in 1938, Dr. Kimm felt the impact of both World War II and the Korean War. During his youth he studied and trained in Yudo, Hapkido, and Taekwondo. He taught self-defense to the U.S. 8th Army Pusan Area Command, and upon graduation from the ROK Marine Academy in Busan, he gained an invitation to continue his formal education in the United States. In November 1963 he was enrolled in classes at Southeast Missouri State College at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. With the guidance and encouragement of advisors, such as Dr. Thomas Israel and Dr. Mark Scully, Dr. Kimm taught martial arts to college students and promoted the spread of Korean martial art throughout the Midwest. He graduated from “SEMO” with a master’s degree in history. In the early 1960s Dr. Kimm was one of the first pioneers of Hapkido in the United States and was in regular attendance at tournaments throughout the Midwest and Southeastern portions. In the 1970s Dr. Kimm moved his activities to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he entered the graduate studies program at Louisiana State University. While pursuing his PhD, Dr. Kimm established Kimm’s Institute of Self-Defense. Working alongside other Korean martial art pioneers, such as H. U. Lee, Kang Suh Chong, Hee Il Cho, Jack Hwang, Kim Soo, Kang Rhee, Bu Gil Kwon, and others, he helped spread the knowledge of Korean martial arts to the American public. In 1989 Dr. Kimm formed the World Han Mu Do
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Association, creating a curriculum formed from various traditional Korean martial arts. He still serves as the founding president. Utilizing his training as a historian, Dr. Kimm also began to author several books on Korean martial arts; Taekwondo History, History of Korea and Hapkido, Hapkido, Hapkido II, Han Mu Do, Philosophy of Masters, Kuk Sool, and others. He has also served as vice-president of Taekwondo Times Magazine for many years. When asked about the future of Korean martial arts and martial art training in general, Dr. Kimm reflects upon his experience as both student and teacher. “A martial artist must maintain a flexible body and a flexible mind. They must be prepared to adapt to the situation that is before them. Punching is good, but it does not always fit the occasion. Same thing with kicking or throwing. The martial artist must keep a flexible mind to adapt to what is needed in each situation. In the same way, we must adapt to the events taking place in the world around us. Analyze each situation and determine what is the best solution to the problem. Then act accordingly!” He once used the analogy of killing a mosquito with a hammer. It should not take that much effort! He is also quick to share his personal three-point philosophy: “Cultivate your skills, help others, and make the world a better place.” This is the central philosophy of the World Han Mu Do Association. Respectfully submitted by David W. Higgs, 6th Dan World Han Mu Do Association.
