What Is The Relationship Between Yudo and Hapkido?

The traditional Korean military art of Hapkido emerged from Daito-ryu Akijujutsu, following the defeat of the Empire of Japan in World War II.  It is widely reported that the founder of this style could not stand the shame of Nippon being defeated, and committed ritual suicide.  The story may not be true, but it is representative of the nature of the man and his reputation.

The gentleman who introduced this art to Korea was a member of the founder’s household in Japan.  Some martial art writers, especially ethnic Japanese living in the United States, have attacked the credibility of this individual.  Other than the simple, and racist, assertion that no Korean is smart enough to learn Daito-ryu Akijujutsu, they base their claim on the assertion that no Korean name is found among the extensive records kept by the Daito-ryu founder.

This ignores two simple facts.  First, this individual obviously knew the art very well and the only place he could have learned it, at that time, was from the founder.  Second, that Koreans living in Japan took Japanese names to avoid the racism against Koreans that existed then, and now.

Hapkido has had over a half-century to develop into its current form, from the style originally introduced into Korea.  Hapkido today, however, bears little resemblance to that style originally brought to the Korean peninsula. Hapkido is now a distinctly Korean art.  Indeed, Hapkido is probably the most diverse of the three major traditional Korean military arts.  It is also the most extensive in the context of technique.

While Taekwondo forms the basis of the physical fitness program for the ROK Army, Hapkido is the military art studied by the military special operations units.  The chief instructor for Korea SWAT and the Presidential Protective Detail is appointed by the Korea Hapkido Federation, the world-wide governing body for Hapkido.

In 2003, ChungTongKwan Yudo became a kwon of the Korea Hapkido Federation.  In doing so, it became only the second Yudo kwon to be cross-registered as a Hapkido kwon. 

Becoming a kwon of the Korea Hapkido Federation represents ChungTongKwan Yudo’s determination to remain loyal to the philosophy, teaching, and vision of Kano, Jigoro the Founder of the oriental art of Judo.

It also symbolizes our commitment to maintain the high standards required for its member kwons by the Korea Hapkido Federation.

What is the relationship between Yudo and Hapkido?  For members of the International Yudo Federation, they are one and the same.