About
Background, independence, and purpose of this project.
Overview
This site is an independent research and reference project focused on Kuk Sool within the broader context of Traditional Korean Martial Arts (TKMA).
It is intended to function as a structured knowledge base documenting:
- terminology
- training concepts
- historical developments
- organizations
- individuals
- lineage relationships
The project is designed as a resource for study and documentation rather than as an official organizational publication.
Independence
Kuk Sool Research is an independent project.
It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any martial arts organization, including but not limited to:
- the World Kuk Sool Association (WKSA)
- United Mirae Kuk Sool (UMKS)
- other Kuk Sool or Korean martial arts organizations
The purpose of this project is educational documentation, historical preservation, and personal study.
Trademark Notice
“Kuk Sool Won” and related marks are trademarks of the World Kuk Sool Association.
References to these marks are used here solely for historical, educational, and descriptive purposes.
Corrections and Good-Faith Review
If an organization, instructor, or practitioner believes information has been presented inaccurately, the project maintainer welcomes good-faith correction and clarification.
Where appropriate, sources may be reviewed and pages revised to improve accuracy, context, and neutrality.
About Keith E. Kelly
This site accompanies my personal study and documentation of Kuk Sool, including its terminology, history, lineage, and philosophical foundations.
It reflects both my martial arts training history and an ongoing effort to engage more deeply with the art—physically, intellectually, and historically—during this stage of life.
The project combines practitioner experience with structured research to support careful study and long-term preservation of knowledge.
Martial Arts Background
Early Korean Martial Arts Training
I began formal Korean martial arts training in the early 1980s and was awarded the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt (Cho Dan) in Hapkido through the World Kong Shin Bup Association on September 1, 1986.
This certification recognized me with the instructional title:
조교 (Jo Kyo) — Assistant Instructor
This early training traces through a lineage that includes:
- In Shuk Pak (Kong Shin Bup Hap Ki Do, introduced to North America)
- Rudy Timmerman (direct instructor)
This background provides an initial foundation in Korean martial arts systems outside of later organizational structures.
World Kuk Sool Association (WKSA)
On June 30, 2001, I earned the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt (Sam Dan) in Kuk Sool Won through the World Kuk Sool Association, under the authority and signature of Grandmaster In Hyuk Suh.
This rank is traditionally associated with the title:
부사범님 (Bu Sa Bum Nim) — Assistant Instructor
My training during this period was based in Traverse City, Michigan, and followed the classical WKSA curriculum, including:
- hyung (forms)
- joint-locking systems
- weapons training
- foundational philosophy
United Mirae Kuk Sool (UMKS)
As of 2026, I have begun aligning my ongoing training interests with United Mirae Kuk Sool (UMKS), founded by Sung Jin Suh.
This interest reflects an appreciation for preserving Kuk Sool’s traditional foundations while remaining open to thoughtful future development.
While I do not currently hold formal certification or rank recognition within UMKS, my intention is to continue training and study within that broader lineage.
Perspective and Scope
This project reflects a perspective shaped by training across multiple contexts.
It recognizes that martial arts knowledge is often transmitted through a combination of:
- documented sources
- organizational narratives
- instructor lineage
- oral tradition
Where possible, this site distinguishes between these forms of knowledge and presents them with appropriate context.
The goal is not to assert a singular interpretation, but to document and organize information in a way that supports informed study and comparison.
Purpose of This Repository
This project exists to:
- build a structured glossary of Kuk Sool terminology
- document people, organizations, and historical developments
- preserve linguistic, cultural, and historical context
- support careful study without polemic or speculation
- provide a long-term reference framework for future research
This is not an official organizational website.
It is a personal research and documentation effort, shared publicly to encourage thoughtful study and historical awareness.
Relationship to Methodology
This site is guided by an explicit methodology emphasizing:
- neutral presentation
- source transparency
- distinction between documented history and tradition
- respect for living practitioners and organizations
Key Dates
- Nov 29, 1960 — Date of birth
- Sep 1, 1986 — 1st Dan, Hapkido (World Kong Shin Bup Association)
- Jun 30, 2001 — 3rd Dan, Kuk Sool Won (WKSA)
- 2026 — Study alignment with United Mirae Kuk Sool (UMKS)
Last updated: 2026-04-22