Master Kim Myoung Hwa: wants to connect two martial arts backgrounds

Master Kim Myoung Hwa (left), Representative of IKMA KOREA (Israeli Krav Maga Association Korea). Photo: WPTF

Dear master, why did you choose to learn Taekwondo and Krav Maga together?

Master Kim Myoung Hwa: I have been learning Taekwondo from a very young age and currently hold a 4th dan black belt. Since Taekwondo has many sports aspects, I wanted to study something that was more practical in real life, so I have been learning boxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. I even went to Thailand to learn Muay Thai. While looking for a practical exercise, I learned about Krav Maga, which focused on real fights. Since discovering that the original Israeli Krav Maga was IKMA, I have traveled back and forth from Korea to Israel for over ten years to train under the original Krav Maga system. Right now, I am working as the representative leader of Korea. When the WPTF (World Police Taekwondo Federation) asked me to teach self-defense and police arrest techniques, I participated as an instructor.

Master Kim Myoung Hwa training in the course The World Police Taekwondo Federation special seminar in the Kyungdong University, Seoul, Korea. Photo: Character permitted

Could you comment something about the World Police Taekwondo Federation special seminar in the Kyungdong University?

 Master Kim Myoung Hwa: As someone who loves Taekwondo, I believe that although Taekwondo has become widely known as a sport, this course has been an essential education for it to be used in more diverse places. In particular, many police officers, both overseas and domestically, practice Taekwondo. Still, when it comes to actually catching criminals, it is believed that the criminals' attacks will vary in each situation. This course has been created to help students subdue or arrest opponents in various situations. I feel honored to have participated as an instructor.

Master Kim Myoung Hwa (middle) and Martial arts over the world. Photo: Character permitted

Taekwondo is Korea's national martial art and has spread to more than 200 countries  around the world, so are you proud of it? 

Master Kim Myoung Hwa: Yes, as a taekwondo practitioner myself, I am proud that many countries enjoy Taekwondo as a sport and learn about the Korean culture and customs through Taekwondo.

What do you think about martial arts students in the police and outside the police when participating in Taekwondo training? 

Master Kim Myoung Hwa: I think that police officers and those who have to provide security should prepare and train separately, especially for realistic situations. When first created, Taekwondo was very helpful, but as it became a sport, it was found to be lacking in more diverse situations. So this time, the Police Taekwondo Federation decided that to subdue an opponent in a real fight, you would need to train in various situations, so I was invited as an instructor.

The World Police Taekwondo Federation special seminar in the Kyungdong University, Seoul, Korea. Photo: Character permitted

As someone who trains soldiers and police officers in Korea, I believe that in real life, you have to deal with many different people. So, although Taekwondo is a good sport, police officers in each country should receive situational response training tailored to their police duties unless they want to become athletes.

Thank you very much Master!

Kyungdong University, Seoul, 4/8/2024