The Dan ranks in Taekwondo symbolize a Taekwondo practitioner's level of proficiency that they developed though the study of Taekwondo. However, recently, Kukkiwon imposed a special skip Dan test project that ignores the symbolic and traditional meaning of the Dan rank system. This decision angered many Taekwondo practitioners in Korea and abroad.
The Kukkiwon vice-president, Oh Hyun-deuk (5th Dan), established a Special Skip Dan Committee. After brief meetings on the subject, they decided to proceed with the Special Skip Dan test where a 4th Dan can skip up to 8th Dan and a 5th Dan can skip up to 9th Dan. They could jump several Dan ranks by paying several thousand dollars in test fees and making special required contributions.
▲ © Kang Shin-Chul, 9th Dan (WTTU president) denounced the Kukkiwon Special Dan test. He was calling for the resignation of Hong Moon-jong (Kukkiwon Chairman) and other responsible people from Kukkiwon. He joined in with Shin Seong-Hwan, original organizer of this protest (WTU) |
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While Kukkiwon was holding its series of meeting, Lee Hyun-kon, 9th Dan, Presidential award recipient at the Inauguration of Taekwondowon, sent an opinion letter to WTU news where he
▲ © G.M Lee Hyun-kon (WTU) |
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wrote that until this point he supported Kukkiwon's policy and decisions without question. He said that the Special Skip Dan test that Kukkiwon is imposing a very dangerous and disruptive idea.
Moon Dae-sung, Korean National Assembly legislator (Congress), heavy weight gold medal winner at 2004 Athens Olympics, and IOC member, told the assembly at a government hearing, "Kukkiwon must be crazy for coming up with this kind of policy". At the hearing, Kim Jong-deuk, Minister of Korea Culture, Sports and Tourism, responded that he ordered Kukkiwon to halt the Skip Dan project.
▲ © Shin Seong-Hwan, representative of "Righteous Taekwondo Movement" Protest organizer (Center), and other supporters from the Throughout the nation visited Kukkiwon and continued their protest against the Kukkiwon special Dan test (WTU) |
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Through incidents like this, public opinion was erupted in opposition to Kukkiwon's Special Skip Dan project. The overwhelming feeling is that the project is wrong and will ultimately devalue the traditional and cultural significance behind the principles of the Taekwondo ranking system.
This kind of special skip Dan test has been conducted outside of Korea by Oh Hyun-deuk from time to time. According to the information that came to WTU news, the Special Dan Rank Project resulted in incidents that changed established ranking and seniority. It is reported that such interference with basic seniority rules created divisions and chaos among Taekwondo communities in Korea and abroad.
As a result, on December 2, many Taekwondo leaders in Korea gathered in front of the Saenoori party's (Majority political party) main building to protest the wrongful decision regarding the Special Dan Test, and following the demonstration, protesters went to Kukkiwon to express their strong opposition to the Special Skip Dan Test.
Assembly member Moon Dai-sung urged that Kukkiwon stop proceeding with the Special Skip Dan Test in a televised interview. All of the protest and interviews were continuously broadcast on all major TV stations in Korea.
▲ © MBN News Interview Moon Dae-Sung national Assembly member (Congress) and Olympic heavyweight gold medalist/IOC member interviewed with MBN news - Major Korean TV network (Moon Dai-sung in his interviews, "it's not too late Kukkiwon to stop special dan test") (WTU) |
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One protester pointed out that world Taekwondo communities must know that this chaos is caused by Kukkiwon's internal misconduct and misguided practices. One of the ultimate problems is that Kukkiwon chairman Hong Moon-jong (member of the National Assembly) and a few board members and employees who are running Kukkiwon do not have adequate Taekwondo background and knowledge.
▲ © Kukkiwon chairman Hong Moon-jong (member of the National Assembly) (WTU) |
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Chairman Hong was criticized by the Taekwondo community for spending Kukkiwon's money inappropriately and he was forced to reimburse money that he misused. Also critics point out that he is in violation of ethics law that prevents National Assembly members from holding another position that pays compensation and carries political influence.
In addition, the process of hiring high ranking officials compounded problems. The Kukkiwon's Vice President Oh Hyun-deuk is an example. According to Han gyo-re news publication on January 10, 1992, he was demoted from Lieutenant Colonel to p
▲ © Kukkiwon's Vice President Oh Hyun-deuk (WTU) |
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rivate and discharged from the Korean Army for the inappropriate purchase of land. Protesters claimed that the cause of the problem is that Oh Hyun-deuk, a 5th Dan rank holder with inappropriate background and insufficient knowledge regarding Taekwondo is determining important policies and running operations in the Kukkiwon.
There are also embarrassing allegations about his misconduct while visiting countries as a Vice President of Kukkiwon. Details are still coming out and will be revealed if and when sufficient evidence has been developed. It is a crucial time for the world Taekwondo community to watch closely and scrutinize the inappropriate practices of the Kukkiwon.
▲ © 1/10/1992, Han-gyeore News Paper article - Oh Hyun-deuk (Kukkiwon VP, organizer and director of Special Test), former lieutenant Colonel in Korean Army who was indicted in bribery scandal and Demoted to Private and discharged from service (WTU) |
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▲ © There were over 300 protestors gathered and calling stop to Kukkiwon special test and resignation of Oh Heun Duk, Vice President of Kikkiwon And Hong Moon Jong, chairman of the board of Kukkiwon (WTU)
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▲ © Kukkiwon in SEOUL Korea (WTU) |
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Translated by SGM, Joon P. Choi (9th Dan) of USA
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