“Back to the ITF Roots”
13th. of October I arrived at the Seoul Station after 14 our flight from Oslo-Copenhagen-Beijing-Seoul.
Here I met up with Dr. Sanko Lewis, a South African who lives in Seoul and works as a professor at a university in Seoul. He is also a 5th. Degree in both ITF Taekwon-Do and Hapkido. His Dr. is about Taekwondo and he writes scientific articles on Taekwondo regularly.
Dr. Sanko Lewis, 5th. Degree met me at the Seoul Station.
We also met seven years ago when I was in Seoul with my family. Since then we kept in contact by social media.
We took the KFX Speed train down to Busan from Seoul Station.
Here we were picked up by GM Yoosun Lee, 9th. Degree Taekwon-Do ITF.
He took us to his house at the beach in Busan.
ITF GM Yoosun Lee, 9th. Degree
First thing in the morning after being introduced to Ms. Lee we had a traditional Korean breakfast at a local restaurant.
Between breakfast and lunch, we had a long conversation and a history lesson by GM Yoosun Lee. Both on TKD in general and specific for ITF, Gen. Choi Hong Hi, and GM Lee’s personal story.
After lunch it was time for siteseeng in Busan.
At the tip of Korea, with Japan in the end of the horizon.
Coffey at Best Westwern Josun in Busan.
In the evening Sanko went off to a dance festival. GM Lee and I went for a long walk at the beach which was packed with people and full of laughter, music, and life.
The day after we went through all the 24 ITF Tuls with special attention on fighting applications.
Down town Busan with tall blue glass and steel skyscrapers.
Again, a dinner far beyond any expectations.
After another fantastic day with Ms. and GM Lee, I took the train back to Seoul.
Back in Seoul with Sanko for a coffee to start of the morning.
Hanul Son in front of the Kwang Gae monument in Guri, Seoul.
In front of a Hwarang monument in front of the Korean military academy.
Outside the Sangrok HQ in Seoul
At Sangrok HQ with GM Chang, Henrik, and Thomas. Thomas and I made the grading for 5th. and 6th. Degree in Sangrok Hapkido.
Chong Do Kwan plaque at the Kukiwon.
Kukiwon, Gangnam, Seoul, Korea. Where I had the pleasure of watching a Grand Master Grading. And my good friend Henrik Hunstad attended his Kukiwon, 8th. Degree testing there.
The group that tested for 7-9th. Degree and their examiners.
On Thursday we had a dinner in Insadong with GM Han and my old friend Master Rollos from Switzerland. Here with Aleksander, Thomas, GM Han, Henrik, Master Rollos, and I (Roy)
On the last night, Master Chin paid a visit to the last meal at the Sangrok HQ before we went back to Oslo.
A fantastic trip to Busan and Seoul is now history. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to the opportunity to visit the historic places and the friends that live, train, and study here.
Thank you all for your friendship and hospitality. Every single one of you knows that this hospitality will be the same when you visit Oslo shortly.