Kuk Sool Won — Korea's Most Complete Martial Arts System

Kuk Sool Won (국술원, “Institute of National Martial Arts”) is Korea’s most comprehensive traditional martial arts system — an ambitious project uniting all classical Korean martial arts in one coherent system. Founded in 1958 by In Hyuk Suh, Kuk Sool Won rests on three historical sources: the folk art traditions (Sah Doh Mu Sool), the Buddhist martial arts of Korean monasteries (Bool Kyo Mu Sool), and the Royal Court martial arts of the Korean dynasties (Koong Joong Mu Sool). This synthesis makes Kuk Sool Won one of Asia’s most content-rich martial arts systems: 24 traditional Korean weapons, joint lock and throwing techniques from the Hapkido heritage, kicking and striking techniques, healing arts, and inner energy development — all in one structured system. The Korean government officially recognized Kuk Sool Won in 1963. Today it is practiced in over 50 countries, with the largest international center in the USA.

History and Founders

In Hyuk Suh (born likely 1940s) grew up under extraordinary circumstances: his grandfather Myung Deuk Suh was a martial arts instructor to the Korean Royal Court (the royal family of the Joseon Dynasty). Through him, In Hyuk Suh received early access to the secret Royal Court martial arts.

When his grandfather died in the Korean War, Suh traveled throughout East Asia — visiting Buddhist monasteries in Korea, Japan, and China, studying martial traditions preserved in these spiritual communities.

1958: he founded the first Kuk Sool Won in Korea — with the vision of preserving all authentic Korean martial arts in a system that would otherwise be lost through modernization and forgetting.

1963: First official recognition by the Korean government.

1974: In Hyuk Suh emigrates to the USA and in 1975 establishes the World Kuk Sool Association — the international headquarters, today the world’s largest Kuk Sool Won center.

Three Sources of the System

Source	Korean	Content
Folk arts	Sah Doh Mu Sool (사도무술)	Tribal and family tradition martial arts
Buddhist arts	Bool Kyo Mu Sool (불교무술)	Monastery martial arts of Buddhist monks
Royal Court arts	Koong Joong Mu Sool (궁중무술)	Martial arts of the Korean Royal Court

Technique Categories

Kuk Sool Won encompasses over 3,608 techniques in various categories:

Joint locks and control: From the Hapkido heritage — wrist, elbow, shoulder, knee, hip, and ankle.

Throws and takedowns: Shoulder, hip, and leg throws from various starting positions.

Kicks and strikes: Korean kicking techniques with emphasis on efficiency and endurance.

Weapons (24 traditional): Ssang Jol Bong (nunchaku) · Jang Bong (long staff) · Gum (sword) · Dan Gum (short knife) · Jool Bong (chain staff) · Chang (spear) · Jung Bong (middle staff) · and 17 more.

Inner force and healing: Ki development, breathing exercises, Korean healing arts (Chiryo).

Philosophy

Kuk Sool Won has an explicit ethical code:

Loyalty to country and parents
Respect for teachers and elders
Trust among friends
No retreat in combat
No unnecessary violence

The goal: holistic development — physical, mental, and spiritual. Kuk Sool Won is not only a combat system but a complete way of life in the Korean tradition.

“Kuk Sool Won is not for winning competitions. It is for developing the complete human potential.” — In Hyuk Suh

Connections to Other Martial Arts

Hapkido — closest relative; Kuk Sool Won contains the complete Hapkido heritage plus Royal Court and monastery arts
Taekkyeon — integrated as part of the folk arts system
Escrima/Arnis — structurally similar concept: synthesizing a complete system from various sources

Today

Kuk Sool Won has schools in over 50 countries, with focus in the USA and United Kingdom. The World Kuk Sool Association in San Marcos, Texas is the international headquarters.

In Hyuk Suh continues to lead the system; his children are involved in leadership. The system grows steadily — particularly in the Anglophone world.