KOREA TRIP Spring 2007  ~ PCT President, Master Witt
www.taekwondo.bc.ca
March 1, Master Witt accompanied GM Suggs who took a group of students to visit Korea and reconnect with his martial arts roots. I was deeply honored to be invited to meet my Grandmaster's Masters,  virtually all legends in the world of martial arts and Supreme Grandmasters 1st or 2nd generation.

The hospitality of the HeukChooKwan Association was nothing short of spectacular.  After picking us up at the airport in Incheon we were whisked out to Daejeon. Our hotel was modern and comfortable. We spent several incredible days here, shuttled from one event to another, quite a whirlwind.  During our visit to Daejeon there were many highlights.
* Meeting & photos with  HCK founders
* 47th Anniversary festivities including recognition of GM Suggs, a demonstration by Master Arnold, Angel Kimbal & students. HCK presentations and club demos.
* Overnight stay at mountain retreat.
* Visit to ancient Buddhist temple, Master Jin Moon bought umbrellas to keep the rain off.
*  Visits to many local HCK schools
* Dan grading exam
* Treated to many dinners and meals
* Shopping in Daejeon entertainment district
* Pictures with many HCK Masters/G.Masters
* Visit to GM Jin, Bok Moon's dojang where we were served some excellent snacks and met his family. He presented his bracelet to GM Suggs. We finished with an awesome group meal
* Took KTX bullet train back to Seoul
* Demo in Seoul HCK club by Middle school students
Express my appreciation in particular to Master Son & Master Lee as our primary hosts ~ Master Witt

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Although now retired, Supreme Grandmaster Lee Chong Woo, past President of Taekwondo JiDoKwan and Vice-President of Kukkiwon came to our hotel. It was quite something to meet GM Lee Chong Woo in person after hearing and reading so much about him over the decades. Something again to see the warm reunion between him and GM Suggs. GM Lee Chong Woo drove us to Kukkiwon, gave us a brief tour and introduced us around. With his arrangements we were also given a tour of the museum. Impressive to see the staff and senior guard at Kukkiwon stop in their tracks and doors open when they saw GM Lee. After Kukkiwon, we made our way over to the Jidokwan offices where GM Suggs dealt with our JDK Dan applications. Seoul, although ancient, is a modern 'City of Industry',  bustling and vibrant, with people from everywhere on the Globe walking it's streets. ~ Master Witt

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