Region 8 and the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation

The U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation was founded in 1975, originally under the name U.S. Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation. It was originally comprised of 9 geographic regions but was later expanded to 10 regions in 1991. Region 8 includes the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Though not a heavily populated region, Region 8 has outstanding leadership with three Technical Advisory Committee members (nine total sit on the committee), and a Technical Advisory Committee Assistant.

A timeline of Region 8 and the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation

  • 1910 Birth of Hwang Kee KJN.
  • 1945 Hwang Kee KJN opens the first Moo Duk Kwan school in Korea. He originally named the style he developed Hwa Soo Do which was later changed to Tang Soo Do.
  • 1953-1961 Golden age of the Moo Duk Kwan. More information is available here.
  • 1957 Hwang Kee KJN discovers the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Gi, the oldest known Korean martial arts textbook, and starts learning about “Soo Bahk Ki”, a hand striking technique. Hwang Kee KJN starts incorporating parts of Soo Bahk Ki into his style of martial arts.
  • 1960 Hwang Kee KJN renames his style of martial art “Soo Bahk Do”.
  • 1975 The U.S. Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation is chartered and is comprised of 9 geographic regions. Region 8 encompasses Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Dan level testing and above is held at regional events. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is headed by HC Hwang SBN, the son of Hwang Kee KJN. Jeff Moonitz, Sa Bom Nim is a charter member of the Federation.
  • 1983 Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa is initiated nationally for those testing at Sa Dan (4th degree) and above.
  • 1991 The Federation is reorganized to define 10 geographic regions. Region 8 is comprised of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
  • 1994 The Federation officially changes its name to the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation
  • 2002 With the passing of Hwang Kee KJN, H.C. Hwang takes over as the new Kwan Jang Nim and President of the Federation. H.C. Hwang KJN develops the President’s Vision Tour and starts to visit MDK schools around the world with the intent of strengthening the foundation of the art.
  • 2005 H.C. Hwang KJN reorganizes the TAC and creates the Hu Kyun In, Guardians of the Art. From Region 8, Jeff Moonitz SBN is appointed to the Hu Kyun In, and Jeff Griggs SBN is appointed to the Weh Gong Bu.
  • 2017 Jeff Griggs SBN and Jennifer Gibbons SBN are appointed to the TAC Committee – Ki Sul Bu.
  • 2019 Brian Corrales SBN is appointed to the TAC Committee – Digital Bu.

Learn more about the history of the Federation here.