Kim Yunsang was born in 1934 in Geumsan, South Korea. As he was a frail child, he spent his 20’s learning various martial arts such as Tang Soo Do, Judo, Boxing, and Kumdo in order to get stronger.
Kim had trained in modern Hapkido for ten years with a 6th Dan before he finally met Choi Yongsul in 1973. Kim searched all of Daegu, a large city wanting to study under Choi Yongsul. Once Kim found him, he started training the very next day.
Kim Yunsang traveled between Geumsan and Daegu for 5 years when one day in 1978, Choi Yongsul questioned, “If I teach you everything, will you learn?” When Kim answered in the affirmative, Choi Yongsul stated that the first requirement was to own a personal dojang if he wanted to inherit all the teachings.
Yongsulkwan Opening, 1980
In 1980, at the opening of the dojang Kim Yunsang built, Choi Yongsul officially bestowed his name to the new dojang calling it “Yongsulkwan.” As promised, from that moment on Choi Yongsul began to instruct Kim in all the skills and techniques pertaining to Hapkiyusul.
On April 1, 1984, Kim Yunsang received 9th Dan from Choi Yongsul.
3rd Hapkiyusul(traditional Hapkido) Doju Certificate
April 17, 2002
After the passing of Choi Yongsul in 1986, Kim put all his effort into preserving and teaching Hapkiyusul every day, morning and evening. In May of 2002, he became the 3rd Doju of Hapkiyusul (traditional Hapkido).
In May 2004, Kim Yunsang was invited to the Blue House by the South Korean president where he gave demonstrations. There, he was officially recognized as the 3rd Doju of Hapkiyusul (traditional Hapkido) by the national government.
Until his passing at the age of 87, Kim Yunsang could be found at the Yongsulkwan Headquarters in South Korea training-never missing a single day-keeping his promise to Choi Yongsul that he would “never take off his uniform.”
Every year, there are memorial services on the anniversaries of Choi Yongsul and Kim Yunsang’s passing.
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