Learning to Punch and Kick, Korean Style
By Michael Ha
Staff Reporter
For foreign nationals visiting Korea this summer, there is a fun way to begin learning about Korean martial arts Taekwondo.
Kukkiwon, the country's official organization overseeing Taekwondo instruction in Korea, is holding not-to-miss classes for foreign tourists that offer instructions on basic moves and philosophies behind this traditional form of self-defense. The program is ideal for the whole family.
Classes will be held three times a day, at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Gyeonghuigung Palace, an ancient grand place located in Jongno, Seoul. Each class lasts one-and-a-half hours and can accommodate up to 40 people.
The 10:30 a.m. class teaches basic punching and kicking moves, while the following 1:30 p.m. class focuses on self-defense techniques. The 3:30 p.m. session teaches specific breaking techniques.
Participants can tailor classes by taking just one or two classes or enrolling in all three, in one single day or spread out over several days. Everyone who completes the program gets an official Taekwondo certificate and badge, courtesy of Kukkiwon.
This one-day program costs 70,000 won per person, which includes an authentic Taekwondo uniform and belt as well as an honorary-level certificate.
If one day is just not enough, there is also a longer training program that lasts up to two weeks. The cost is 50,000 won per day with each daily practice lasting three hours.
According to Kukkiwon, the national organization overseeing the program, past participants have come from various countries and regions including Pakistan, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Africa.
The classes are held in English, with master-level instructors teaching various striking, kicking and blocking moves. Visitors wishing to participate can make a reservation online at the Kukkiwon's official Web site.
Taekwondo is currently practiced by more than 70 million people around the world in 181 countries, according to Kukkiwon. It became an official sport at the Olympic Games in 2000. It is widely regarded as one of the world's most popular martial arts in terms of number of active practitioners.
Taekwondo is known for its special emphasis on various kicking techniques, which distinguishes it from other Asian martial arts including karate. Kukkiwon notes that the leg is the longest and strongest weapon a martial artist has at his or her disposal and that kicks have the greatest potential to deliver powerful strikes without facing retaliation from the opponents. One defining kick of Taekwondo is the roundhouse back kick.
In addition to the daily Taekwondo classes, there are also professional Taekwondo performances staged on the lawn of Gyeonghuigung Palace every Wednesday and Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. this year. These events include martial arts demonstrations by a group of Taekwondo masters as well as performances of Korean traditional music and traditional folk performance.
Gyeonghuigung, where the Taekwondo classes are held, is a great place to visit in its own right. There are approximately 100 buildings of various sizes within the walls of the place.
Gyeonghuigung was the residence of Taejo Lee Seong-gye, founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The palace reopened in 2002 following a comprehensive restoration project that started in 1988. The palace has some of the most picturesque traditional royal structures in Korea and is often featured in historical dramas on TV.