Our Hapkido lineage is from Hapkido Kuk Sul Won. I am often asked if Hapkido Kuk Sul Won is the same as Kuk Sool Won as practiced by the World Kuk Sool Association. To answer this question we have to look at the history of Korean martial arts.

It was in the early 1960's that a group of martial arts Masters came together under the banner of "Kuk Sul Hwe" (Korean Martial Arts Association), to share and develop their respective martial arts skills.

In its infancy, this association became a melting pot. All of the members had learned Hapkido from its founder, Choi Yong Sul. Some had also studied Chinese martial arts and traditional Korean arts such as Taekyon. Combining their knowledge, these Masters created what would become known as Kuk Sool which is a shortened version of Han Kuk Moo Sool or "Martial Arts of the Korean Nation".

Among the early members of the Kuk Sul Hwe were leaders such as Kim Woo Tak, who went on to found Kuk Sool Kwan; Suh In Hyuk, founder of the World Kuk Sool Association; Lee Joo Bang, founder of Hwarangdo; Seo In Sun, founder of Hanminjok Hapkido and a devout Buddhist known as Lee Han Chul.

Lee Han Chul was an expert in Buddhist martial arts and contributed these skills to the Kuk Sul Hwe. He is remembered for his skillful knowledge of pressure point techniques, healing techniques, Ki development, fan techniques (Bu Chae Sul) and the refinement of palm striking techniques (Pyung Soo).

The Kuk Sul Hwe disbanded in 1966 and after this Lee Han Chul formed Hapkido Kuk Sul Won which flourished in Korea.

In 1980, Grandmaster Sam Plumb began training with the Great Britain Hapkido Association which taught the Hapkido Kuk Sul Won style. After the break up of the Great Britain Hapkido Association, Sam began training with the late Grandmaster Kim Mok Yang in London. Grandmaster Kim also taught Hapkido Kuk Sul Won. He was also a certified Master with The Korean Kido Association, the Korea Hapkido Federation and the World Kuk Sool Association.