World Kuk Sool Association (WKSA)

Names and Usage

Common name (English): World Kuk Sool Association
Abbreviation: WKSA

WKSA is the organization historically associated with Kuk Sool Won (국술원), the modern system widely taught internationally.

국술원 (Kuk Sool Won)

• 국술 (Kuk Sool): “National Martial Arts” (commonly rendered as “Kuk Sool”)
• 원 (Won): institute / academy / training hall (context-dependent)

Identity and Purpose

WKSA is best known for standardizing and disseminating Kuk Sool Won internationally through:

• formal curriculum structure (technique sets, hyung, weapons, rank requirements)
• centralized testing and ranking norms
• instructor development and school affiliation

Leadership

Founder / long-time Grandmaster: In Hyuk Suh (서인혁)

Recent Leadership Transition (2025–2026)

A major WKSA transition occurred in the 2025–2026 period:

• In Hyuk Suh stepped back from active leadership
• Choon-ok Harmon and Barry Harmon were promoted to 10th Dan
• leadership was passed to Alex Suh (second son)

See:

• /history/recent/ (WKSA transition page)

Related Pages

• /people/in-hyuk-suh/ (planned or existing)
• /people/alex-suh/ (planned)
• /people/choon-ok-harmon/ (planned)
• /people/barry-harmon/ (planned)
• /history/recent/ (leadership transition)

To Do

• Add WKSA official naming in Korean if available from official sources
• Add citations/links to official WKSA announcements for the transition
• Add brief curriculum outline / terminology conventions for crosswalk work