What is Gongkwon Yusul?
Gongkwon Yusul is the next generation of Korean martial arts with traditional values and a way to defend yourself against modern attackers. Founded in 1996, Master Jun Kang developed this system over several decades with his extensive experience and analysis of martial arts.
Gongkwon Yusul encompasses elements of Hapkido, Judo, Jujitsu and Kyutooki (Korean style kickboxing) techniques and applications into a modern way to develop practical real life self defense skills. It teaches to seamlessly blend striking techniques to close the distance to the attacker, to get into range for a take down or throw, and ends in a submission with ground techniques in a free-flowing situation. The essential development of character of Gongkwon Yusul is to respect each other and take care of your training partners while practicing the art
Gongkwon Yusul is one of fastest growing martial arts in the world and is now practiced in Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, Australia, Germany, Spain, Russia, Sweden, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and the USA!
The Logo of Gongkwon Yusul
The Meaning
The logo depicts "Gongkwon Yusul" written vertically in a calligraphic rendering of Chinese letters known as cursive script or grass script.
A trademark feature of the grass script is the unbroken and natural brushwork. This resembles the way in which Gongkwon Yusul combines all its elements and techniques in continuous and fluent movement.
"Gongkwon" means "empty (weaponless/unarmed fighting) fist" in a literal sense for techniques like hand strikes and kicks, "Yusul" translates as "gentle art or way" and designates throws, locks or grappling techniques which aim to redirect the opponent’s force against him. This means that Gongkwon Yusul incorporates all aspects of unarmed fighting: distance and close combat as well as grappling.
Strength and resilience are the leading principles of Gongkwon Yusul, yet these manifest ideally in a soft and free-flowing form.
The black colour is reminiscent of ebony, symbolising the level of perfection for which one should strive through constant training.
The circle reminds us of the eagerness we possess when we make our first contact with a martial art, and which we should always keep alive.
The red colour stands for the patience and effort one persistently puts into training.
Founder of Gongkwon Yusul
Grandmaster Jun Kang
Director of US Gongkwon Yusul Association from Ohio
US Director of the International Gongkwon Yusul Association
Master Laura Clements has been training in Martial Arts since 1988 and opened her studio in 1999. She was introduced to Gongkwon Yusul through the Founder, Grand Master Kang in 2006 and began teaching as an instructor in 2012. She has traveled to Korea and Europe many times to learn and support Grand Master Kang and Gongkwon Yusul.