Grand Master Kimm Yong-Sup
Born on the 18th of February 1935 in Jeon -Ju, Korea. Grand Master Kimm was educated at Jeon-Ju high school and went on to study at Seoul National University in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, where he graduated with an honours degree in biology. He has post-graduate qualifications in Oriental Medical Science from the Kyung Hee Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Institute in Korea.
In Korea, his work included teaching biology and leading an award winning research team at the Jeon-Ju Environmental Research Institute. He was a leader in the Teachers Trade Union movement and was on the executive committee of the World Confederation of Labour. In his position in the WCL, Grand Master Kimm regularly traveled internationally for congress and represented Korea in Bagio, Phillipines for extended leadership training. He was active in the Catholic Young-Mans Movement, committed to upholding social justice principles in a difficult political climate. His life passion and commitment to the Martial Arts began at a young age and continues some 60 plus years later.
Migration to Australia
Grand Master Kimm migrated to Melbourne Australia with his family, on the 1st of May 1977, carrying with him a background steeped in traditional Korean culture. He arrived as a Master in the arts of Hap Ki Do and Sun Do, with extensive training and knowledge in acupressure and acupuncture, language and dance, calligraphy and philosophy.
Since that time he has been involved with Australian human rights organizations and has practiced Oriental Medical Science. He is a member of the Victorian Acupuncture Association. On the 22nd of May 1977 Grand Master Kimm organized the establishment of the first Korean Catholic Church in Melbourne.
On the 1st of October 1977, he established the Australian Hap Ki Do Academy. He established the Australian Sun Do Academy in 1993.
He is the International Hap Ki Do Federation President in Australia and now Grand Master 9th Dan. He is a member of the Federation’s executive committee in Korea.
Other events
In1980 Grand Master Kimm traveled to Washington for the Grand Masters Martial Arts Congress and to Beijing as a special guest at the Chinese Martial Arts Centre.
In1983 he was elected President of the Korean Community in Victoria and in the same year, organized the financial rescue of the Korean Language School.
In 1991 Grand Master Kimm traveled to Moscow, St Petersburg, and Minsk, to teach Hap Ki Do and spread the philosophy underpinning the Universal Peace message. In 1993 Grand Master Kimm returned to Moscow, St Petersburg and Minsk for the same purpose.
In 1994 the destinations were Washington, Los Angeles and New York, teaching the art and spreading the message of Universal Peace.
He published his first book, An Oriental Path to Holistic Health in 1995 and has two other books in progress.
Universal Peace Charity Foundation
In August 1995, Hap Ki Do and Sun-Do Grand Master, Kimm Yong Sup, decided to establish a more formal vehicle for the charitable work that he and his students had undertaken over many years in Australia and Korea. The Universal Peace Charity Foundation is the result. It is a Registered Trust that has tax-deductible status with the Australian Taxation Office.
The ancient Korean Sun-Do philosophy of "Hong Ik In Gan, Ee Hwa Se Gye" is the principle on which the ancient nation of Korea is built. Hong Ik In Gan, Ee Hwa Se Gye is also the basis for the work of the Universal Peace Charity Foundation.
"Hong Ik In Gan Ee Hwa Se Gye" means enacting true compassion by spreading peace for the benefit of human kind; creating a harmonious world.
Grand Master Kimm continues to further his theoretical and practical knowledge of Martial and the healing arts, and spreads the foundation’s message for peace via regular study/teaching and demonstration tours. Places such as Korea, Russia, Germany, USA, Brazil, and India are on his itinerary. He conducts Australia wide seminars in Sun Do, Hap Ki Do and the highly developed art of Han Ki Do.
As an internationally respected Martial Artist, Grand Master Kimm believes that acting honourably at all times and upholding the principles of Hong Ik In Gan Ee Hwa Se Gye demonstrates true strength of character, rather than fighting and competing.
United Nations (NGO) Martial Arts Ambassador for Peace
In September 2003, Grand Master Kimm traveled to San Diego to receive a letter of commendation from the UN (NGO) International Association Educators World Peace, World Peace Martial Arts Ambassador Association, for his "outstanding contribution" to peace.
In December 2004 an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy was conferred on Grand Master KImm. This award was acknowledgement from his peers at the California Union University, of a life time of study and commitment to the philosophy of Universal Peace in action. The University will be the home of the new Martial Arts Department. Martial Artists of all disciplines will have the opportunity to receive an education, which enables them to develop credentialed careers. Grand Master Kimm will lecture in the compulsory Universal Peace unit. All qualifications and certification will be endorsed by the Universal Peace name.
August 2005 will see the presentation of UN (NGO) awards to Grand Master Kimm at a function to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Universal Peace Movement.
At the age of 71,Grand Master Kimm continues to practice and teach his arts, as well as holding an energetic and egalitarian vision for the future.
