JSKR-HK Opens a New Horizon in Global Martial Arts Philosophy, Ohio, 🇺🇸

[HAEDONG]

In Korean 한글 번역
https://m.cafe.daum.net/uwhkf/DvEa/652?svc=cafeapp

미국 비영리법인단체 설립 등록의 쾌거

《Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo Opens a New Horizon in Global Martial Arts Philosophy with U.S. Nonprofit Registration》

📅 July 26, 2025 | Lorain, Ohio, USA

Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo has recently been officially registered as a nonprofit organization in the United States. This milestone signifies global recognition of its integrated training system—combining martial arts, philosophy, and healing—as a path of public value and international legitimacy. It marks a major turning point in redefining the direction of Haedong Kumdo practice both in Korea and worldwide.


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🌍 The Global Standing and New Current of Haedong Kumdo

About thirty years ago, Haedong Kumdo rapidly expanded from Korea, achieving broad popularity as a modern martial art. However, in recent years—especially following the COVID-19 pandemic—the number of practitioners and operating dojangs has declined. Today, only two or three organizations remain consistently active overseas, among them Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo.

Nevertheless, there is a promising current: young masters and instructors in Korea are demonstrating remarkable progress in cutting, sword methods, sparring, and sword dance, with notable creativity and skill in physical techniques.

Yet, challenges remain. In many associations, entrenched leaders who have little or no training themselves continue to dominate, prioritizing vested interests. As a result, the expansion and development of Haedong Kumdo—and the pursuit of proper philosophy and values—have often been hindered. Compounded by Korea’s unique martial arts incorporation system and the police bonus-point program, this has led to blurred identity, distortions of history, and a disconnect from the true essence and ultimate goal of martial training.

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⚔️ The Philosophy and Direction of Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo

Since its first official seminar in 2001 at the Tulsa Convention Center in Oklahoma, Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo has steadily expanded through seminars and training across the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Now, twenty-five years later, its U.S. nonprofit registration provides a foundation for broader and more systematic communication with practitioners not only across America but throughout the world.

The philosophy of Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu is grounded on four guiding principles:

1. Establishing correct philosophy and values based on a proper historical perspective and mind-body discipline as a modern martial art.

It seeks to recover the essential value of martial training, rooted in the natural order and spirit of Haedong Kumdo, and to instill clarity about its modern role.

2. Systematic training in Kimu (氣舞, Energy-Dance) and Twin Swords (雙劍).

Practitioners learn to sense the flow of Ki, to understand the principles of nature and body through bare-handed training, and to practice standardized twin-sword methods accessible to all, from beginners to advanced practitioners.


3. Practical training for the integration of body and life.

Beyond sword techniques or physical conditioning, the training restores and enhances the flow of Ki and life energy in daily living, presenting an ultimate goal where philosophy, healing, and martial arts are unified.


4. Understanding healing as natural law.

Training integrates body and mind under the principles of nature, modernizing the harmony and truth sought by ancient sages and spreading it widely as a practical system for modern life.

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🙏 The Founder’s Dedication and Mission

Since the first seminar in Tulsa in 2001, Founder Jeong Seong Kim has devoted the past 25 years to systematizing and globalizing Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo. Even today, he personally leads more than ten overseas activities each year, training directly with practitioners worldwide.

Especially in the 15 years following the successful 2009 World Haedong Kumdo Championship in Korea, he has deepened and integrated philosophy, technique, and healing.

Now approaching seventy, he continues to share practice and experience with practitioners worldwide. His mission goes beyond spreading martial technique—it is to guide humanity toward a philosophy of life, showing the right path for human existence.

> To live one’s life united with nature to the very end along the path of training—that is the true stance of a martial artist.

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🌱 Marking a New Beginning

Twenty-five years since the first U.S. seminar, the nonprofit registration is more than an expansion. It lays a cornerstone for reopening the path of “returning to the essence of martial arts” in today’s world.

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🟩 A Local Perspective: Why This Nonprofit Matters in the U.S.

From the perspective of Lisa Kozak, veteran martial artist, Haedong Kumdo instructor, and newly registered nonprofit representative:

> “Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo, founded by President Jeong Seong Kim, is a complete training system that goes far beyond swordsmanship to pursue insight into all aspects of life.

Through this training, I felt the necessity of sustainable support so that more people could benefit—especially students from low-income families who should also have this opportunity.

This nonprofit organization was established to open that door. Tax-deductible donations, government grants, and scholarships are now possible. But these are only tools.

What we truly seek is to help people live healthy and happy lives—overcoming barriers of generation, body, and emotion—through healing, focus, transformation, and the wisdom accumulated in life.”

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📝 Official Registration Details

The U.S. nonprofit registration was confirmed by an IRS letter dated June 23, 2025, with Employer Identification Number ××-××××××.

The official name is:
Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo (JSKR Haedong Kumdo C/O Lisa Kozak)

It has been designated a Public Charity under IRC Section 501(c)(3). The effective date for tax-deductible contributions is April 6, 2025.

This official recognition solidifies the public mission and vision of Founder Jeong Seong Kim, strengthening connections with practitioners worldwide.

In his own words:

> “This is the true beginning. The sword is no longer a mere weapon, but a tool for human life and practice—

To refine body and mind through technique,

To establish sound philosophy and values through reflection,

To deepen healing through awareness of energy flow.”

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🏛️ A Framework for Autonomous State-Level Associations in the U.S.

With nonprofit status, Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo in the U.S. now provides each state association with a foundation for autonomous and creative operation.

Each state’s representatives and leadership will officially collaborate to develop their local dojangs. This is more than administration—it is a deepening of the training system itself.

Grounded in the founder’s mission, each state association will reflect both local culture and the creativity of its leaders, ensuring expansion not only in martial skills but also in philosophy and healing.

This model preserves the founder’s philosophical integrity while allowing diverse, practical, and creative expression‎—a uniquely ideal operating system for Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo.


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✅ Founder of Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo
Jeong Seong Kim

Reference: Daum Café link