Choi Yongsul with Daughter Choi Boksun
Choi Yongsul was born in 1899 in Hwang Gan, South Korea. At the age of eight, he was kidnapped and taken to Japan, where he was abandoned shortly thereafter. After wandering as an orphan, Choi was eventually taken in by Takeda Sokaku.
From the age of 10 to 17, Takeda trained Choi along with 4 other students in the martial art of “yawara”(also known as Daitoryu Aikijujutsu or Daedongryu Hapkiyusul in Korean) in a cave style dwelling on Misaki Mountain.
At the end of this period of austere training, Choi was the only remaining student and the chosen successor of the martial art form. From this point on, Choi and Takeda traveled throughout Japan teaching top government officials.
Takeda Sokaku died in 1943. Before he died, Takeda advised Choi, “When I die, it is possible that you will be killed. Go back to Korea without turning back.”
When Choi Yongsul announced his planned departure, Japan’s prominent Daitoryu Aikijujutsu masters responded, “You can leave (Japan), but your hands must stay here.” Despite this threat, Choi moved back to his native land in 1946 with his family.
In February of 1951, Choi opened a “Hapkiyukwonsul” Dojang in South Korea as a result of popular demand-Choi had become famous as stories of him defeating gangs began to spread.
On September 2, 1963, the Daehan Kido Association was founded with Choi Yongsul serving as its first president. He served two terms (until October 10,1965).
On May 27, 1965, at the first Korean Martial Arts National Demonstration Event at the Jangchung Gymnasium, Choi Yongsul was recognized as the Doju of the Korea Hapkido Headquarters. From that point, the name “Hapkido” was officially used.
Out of all his disciples, Choi Yongsul selected Kim Yunsang as his successor and bestowed the name “Yongsulkwan” to be used for Kim’s dojang in 1980. Choi Yongsul began to instruct Kim in every skill and technique. Additionally, in order to ensure that the techniques did not change, Choi Yongsul made an album of photographs of the techniques.
Album of Techniques
This album is currently at the Yongsulkwan Headquarters in South Korea.
In 1984, Choi Yongsul gave 9th Dan to Kim Yunsang.
He died two years later on October 27, 1986 at the age of 88.
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