Hapkido (합기도):

Hap 合 (union), ki 氣 (energy), and do 道 (way).

• When we speak of "hap," we are referring to union or joining with something.

• When we speak of "ki," we are referring to the energy that makes everything exist and move.

• When we speak of "do," we are referring to the path that seeks to return to the philosophical Tao, to communion with the absolute.

Therefore, "hapkido" can also mean "the path to unite with energy to achieve harmony with those around us, with nature, and with ourselves."

The ideograms that represent the word hapkido are the same as those of the traditional Japanese martial art of aikido, differing only in pronunciation. This similarity in the ideograms stems, on the one hand, from the shared origin of these two martial arts with Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjitsu, specifically regarding the ideograms "hapki" and "aiki." On the other hand, it is a result of chance in the inclusion of the ideogram "do" in the names of both martial arts, since, although both share common technical and tactical foundations, they did not become connected until years after their respective founding.

Korean Hapkido encompasses military and police styles that vary in intensity, technique, and philosophy. Some schools, such as the Korea Hapkido Federation and Si Moo Hapkido, emphasize weapons combat and hard techniques, while others, such as Yuk Won Sool and Jing Jun Kwan, focus on control and precision, using pressure points and acupuncture to neutralize without causing harm. All of them emphasize leg work (kicks and defense against them).

🧠 Pressure Point and Acupuncture Techniques

• Some styles teach how to affect the body through energy meridians, similar to those used in acupuncture.

• These techniques can cause intense pain, disorientation, or immobilization without the need for brute force.

• They are applied in police work, self-defense, and martial arts contexts.

Currently, there are five styles that originate from the original school of Grandmaster Choi, Yong Sool, and his principal students.

It has been documented that these styles comprise more than 3,600 techniques.

Fundamental Principles (of Hapkido):

• Won (circle): redirecting the opponent's force with circular movements.

• Yu (fluidity): adapting like water, without rigidity.

• Hwa (harmony): connecting with the opponent's energy instead of clashing with it.

• The name of the exercise that represents the principle of the circle is Jeon Hwan Bob (전환법), the exercise that represents the principle of fluidity is Young Nyu Bob (역류법), and the one that represents the principle of harmony is called Shim Hwa Bob (심화법). The latter is also known as the rowing exercise. It embodies two principles that the Le Dong Koo school brought to Spain: straight path and pure spirit.

Basic Techniques:

• Throws and joint locks (similar to jujitsu, but with an emphasis on Korean mobility).

• Dynamic, circular kicks distinguish Hapkido from other martial arts.

• Open-hand strikes and pressure point control.

• Staff and nunchuck techniques.

• Joint locks, takedowns, and ground control techniques.

• Movement techniques adapted to walking, based on philosophical principles such as adapting to the opponent's movement, the use of circles, and continuity. These techniques, called forms, evolved into the Hapkido style.

Currently:

• The International Kuk Sool Won Association, presidend by Gran Master Suh In-Hyuk.

• International Kuk Sool Won Hapkido Association becomes to International Korea kido Assocciation presided Gran Master Suh, Seo Lim.

• The Korean Hapkido Association is presided over by In, Seo Lim.

• The International Korean Hapkido Federation is presided over by Le Chang Soo, who is also president of the International Jing Jung Hapkido Association. Similarly, the World Hapkido Federation is directed by the Jing Jung Kwan school.

• The Sin Moo Hapkido Association is presided over by Ji Han Llae.

• The International HKD Federation is presided over by Myung Sung Kwang.

• La international HoShin Hapkido Assocciation presided by Saloomon Chung Park; with Vice President the Gran Master Kim, Sung Koong. This International Assocciation about Hapkido is recognized by the International Hapkido Federation, as before. Korean instructors from such associations are registered and recognized by the Korean Ministry of Defense. All foreign Hapkido students whose examination fees are paid to their respective Korean associations mentioned above are registered with an identification number in the IHF (International Hapkido Federation).

The fact that some Hapkido instructors have sold belts without undergoing proper examinations in some local associations, and then, with falsified records and after paying fees, have these belts validated by various international Hapkido associations such as the IHF, has led to this agreement: only a foreign and/or Korean instructor can claim to be a Hapkido Master (an initiative the government has copied from martial arts schools derived from Ju-Ju-su, Wushu, or those originating in Oceania, such as Muay Thai and Tai Boxing—names that have separated a disciplinary fight from boxing, leading to the mixing of techniques from different martial arts and creating a set of techniques that have given rise to styles like Krav Maga or MMA, primarily), denying the history of the Lima-Lama martial art to practitioners of these forms of combat). This has damaged the very essence of martial arts, reducing it to a mere fighting art, often resulting in bloodshed simply for the sake of combat, for the benefit of those who profit from betting. A martial art is about defense and honor, rooted in the understanding of the human being as the inseparable union of body and mind, not a source of sadistic enjoyment and inhumane ideologies.

Regarding hapkido masters and their students, the Korean government, through the World Hankimuye Federation, has created a way to verify the frauds against our culture that were mentioned earlier.