Chung Eun Kim Helped Bring TKD to U.S.
Chung Eun Kim Helped Bring TKD to U.S.By Hector Lareau |
Kim came to the United States in 1971 after serving as a martial arts instructor to the Republic of Korea’s marine corps. He taught taekwondo with Hee Il Cho in Rhode Island before opening his own school in Davenport, Iowa, in 1973. In addition to his two schools in Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, Kim’s black belts run at least a dozen associated schools. During his long martial career, Kim graced the covers of Black Belt, Karate Illustrated and Inside Kung-Fu. He also published TaeKwonDo Times magazine from 1980 to 2005, when he retired from the publishing business. Throughout his publishing and martial careers, he remained above the schisms that have separated the International Taekwon-Do Federation, World Taekwondo Federation and other taekwondo systems. Kim promoted seven of his students to master rank, and another group of master candidates were training under him before his death. April 2010 will mark the 100th black-belt testing at Kim’s schools, and May 1st sees his 38th annual U.S. Open Metropolitan Tae Kwon Do Championships. Kim transformed the lives of several generations, and among Kim’s most notable young students are Brendon and Dayna Huor. Both are highly decorated sport karate competitors, with many national and world championships to their credit. They appeared with the Sideswipe Performance Team on the nationally broadcast America's Got Talent, reaching the semifinals. Brendon recently toured with Britney Spears, and Nike featured Dayna in its “Human Chain” commercial along with mixed-martial artist Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Jai Johnson, who taught karate to Brendon and Dayna, says that Kim “touched many thousands of lives with his teaching—not just here in the Quad Cities but worldwide. His passing is a huge loss to his students and also to the martial arts community as a whole.” He is survived by his wife, Soja Kim, two daughters and several grandchildren. Update One: We just received these kind words from taekwondo grandmaster Jhoon Rhee. “I am sorry for his lovely wife Mrs. Kim and two beautiful daughters. My condolence goes to them. I pray for his comfort and peace in Heaven where we all meet again. I regret I receive these sad news more often as I get older.” Update Two: Grandmaster Hee Il Cho wrote this touching tribute to his friend. “Yes, I was deeply saddened to hear of the declining health and subsequent passing of my very dear friend, grandmaster Chung Eun Kim. Our friendship spanned 40 years, beginning with our first meeting in 1970. Master Kim arrived in the U.S. in 1971, and at that time I was teaching taekwondo in my own school in Rhode Island. As a fellow Korean and taekwondo instructor, I invited him to join me in teaching. This offered him a sense of direction and together we obtained his green card. Our close friendship developed during these early years and has lasted until today.” “After teaching in Rhode Island, Master Kim moved to the Midwest and opened his taekwondo school in Davenport, [Iowa], where he instructed 11 masters (above 6th degree) and hundreds of black belts. Hardworking and dedicated, he began publishing the TaeKwonDo Times, which continues to have a significant impact on spreading knowledge and popularity of the sport throughout the world. He was a devoted family man, and his life inspired and changed the lives of many thousands over all the years I knew him. I would wish for him that his longtime students carry on his legacy of great service to others and that he rest in peace.” (Hector Lareau is a third dan black belt under grandmaster Chung Eun Kim. He operates District Martial Arts in Rock Island, Illinois. He is also a freelance writer and lawyer. If you would like to purchase vintage reprints of Chung Eun Kim's Black Belt covers, visit our Black Belt Shop.) 
Hee Il Cho |
