The next generation
At the present time, the art of Kuk Sool Won remains safely in the hands of one person, but like many of his ancestors, Grand Master In Hyuk realises that the priceless knowledge of his forefathers will once again soon be passed on to the next generation of martial artists. It was recently revealed that the successor to In Hyuk Suh would be his eldest son Master Sung Jin Suh, 6th degree black belt.
Despite this announcement, the changeover may not take place for several more years. So for the foreseeable future the young heir to the Kuk Sool Won throne will be put on hold, undergoing further grooming and practise until the time is right for him to lead the World Kuk Sool Association into the future.
Master Sung Jin was born in the Taegu region of South Korea in 1963. Having endured a typically traditional Korean upbringing, as one would expect, he started his formal martial arts training at the age of five. Since his first kick and punch Sung Jin has always had his heart and soul focused on the martial arts. He says it was all he ever wanted to do. Further down the road in his martial art career he continued his practise at the Kuk Sool H.Q. in Pusan under the direct guidance of his uncle, Chief Master in Sun Seo.
Many times Sung Jin's resilience was tested, for example he was often instructed, after regular classes, to perform one thousand spin kicks before going to bed. He says, how could he complain when his uncle was reported to having performed over seven thousand kicks in his daily repertoire? Master Sung Jin did not realise until much later on in his training that something special was on the cards for him, however he may have had a slight inclination because the intensity and detail increased in his training, but he was not formally told of his future position by his father until after his emigration to the USA in 1983.
It was in the U.S. where once again his father took guidance in his martial art progress, teaching Sung Jin only one particular major Kuk Sool Principle perhaps each year. The young master knew also that his father would not automatically choose him simply because he was the eldest son. The Grand Master would closely monitor the direction of all his four sons. While his younger brothers are all high ranking Kuk Sool black belts, they have all set their sights in other directions. Master Alex Sung Woo Suh, is a fully qualified chiropractor and lecturer, Sa Bum Nim Sung Soo is following a path in engineering, and sixteen-year-old Kyo Sa Nim George is just entering college.It has been said that all of the Grand Master's sons specialise in a specific traditional Korean weapon. Out of the twenty-four weapons available in the Kuk Sool arsenal, Master Sung Jin prefers the traditional Korean sword.
According to Master Suh there are several basic stages of swordsmanship taught in Kuk Sool. Starting with the physical level, the practitioner gets used to the mechanics of the sword. The second stage and as equally important is the mental aspect where concentration and meditation skills are practised. Then there is added spirit and intention, both of the above stages are then combined, ultimately the sword and the practitioner aim to become one.
Master Suh explains that in ancient Korea the sword had only one purpose. Today we use the sword as a training aid to improve our balance,concentration and power. These qualities can only help us to develop into better martial artists. Ten years ago, at the age twenty-three, Master Sung Jin Suh, along with his brother Alex, made his first visit to the U.K. The two young men left behind them an impression that many British instructors who were practising at the time will never forget. Together they demonstrated harmony and fluidity at it's best; Kuk Sool principles which are often talked about but are often very difficult to put into practise. Since that initial visit both masters have returned to our shores on a regular basis, accompanying their father on his annual U.K. seminar tour. They have made many friends over the ten years and have helped to raise the standards of Kuk Sool in the U.K. to equal that of it's Korean and American counterparts.This year Master Sung Jin Suh once again graced the U.K. Kuk Sool seminars with his presence, enthralling instructors, students and spectators alike. It was a noticeable fact that Master Suh's body remains as supple and agile as a sixteen-year-old's, but his knowledge and spirit encompasses many generations of martial art heritage.
On this year's seminar agenda, amongst many other subjects covered, Master Suh, explained the main principles in strengthening the legs for stronger kicking. Teaching specific exercises he went about shoeing the third, fourth and fifth degree black belts Korea's long lost legacy of martial arts. He explains, "My martial art is not for sale, it is given to those who will respect it and use its knowledge wisely". What Master Sung Jin Suh will inherit from his father is an association that has no fragmentation or splinter groups, unlike a lot of organisations, the art of Kuk Sool remains pure. In Hyuk Suh has gone to great lengths to protect the art from such events. The name and logo are registered both in the U.S. and U.K. making sure that no-one can act as an instructor without a license agreement and a valid letter of appointment by the World Kul Kuk Association, Kuk Sool by the Grandmaster himself. All instructors have to follow the specified lesson plan and testing procedure. Black belt gradings and promotions are conducted by the Grand Master personally and he insures a regular visit to each head school on a regular basis to make sure these standards are met. Every year alone Kuk Sa Nim (his official title) takes three months to travel from coast to coast in America, as well as visiting other countries such as Korea, U.K. and Canada.
So if you thought that the next Kuk Sool leader is in for an easy life, think again. It is a job that will require a tremendous amount of energy, diplomacy and skill, but it's a role that he will naturally fill. Let's face it, he has learnt from the master of all Kuk Sool Masters, his father, Grand Master In Hyuk Suh.