It is important that one understands that martial arts techniques are not invented or created by a single individual.
Rather, they have been developed as a part of history. Just as wrestling, boxing, and fencing, are unique
competition sports in the western world, Tae Kwon Do, Yudo, and Kumdo, along with Hapkido, have been
developed throughout the history of the East.
Hapkido began in Korea through Buddhism. The techniques were initially handed down through the hierarchy of
monks to ruling families and other royal officials as a means of self-protection and personal safety. Unlike many
other martial arts styles, Hapkido was not generally known, or practiced. The recorded history of Hapkido dates
back to Sam Kuk Sidae (The Era of Three Kingdoms, c. 3) Buddhism arrived in China from India circa 67 BC
and was introduced into Korea in 372. The evidence of Buddhism and Hapkido passing through the Korean
court can be found in various wall paintings depicting Hapkidoists during Kokuryo.
One of the three kingdoms, Sel La, formed a special youth group called
Hwa Rang Do. The purpose of this organization was to train future national leaders through stringent training, combining mental discipline, martial
art, and more traditional scholarship. Hapkido techniques were taught for physical fitness and mental discipline.
Backje, the last of the three kingdoms, trained all of its people with Hapkido. The three kingdoms united to form
the Koryo dynasty. During this dynasty, many Hapkido experts were brought to the palace to perform
demonstrations of the martial arts for the ruling king and his court.
A monk grandmaster named Su-san, taught Hapkido to Korean monks. These techniques were used in the Im
Jin Wae Ran invasion. This early predecessor to Hapkido flourished through many dynasties but eventually lost
its popularity when Buddhism was replaced by Confucianism in Korea. Because Confucianism respects
scholarly discipline over physical force, Hapkido disappeared almost entirely, passed down only through
individual masters, monks, and, occasionally, royal families as a secret self-defense.
More recently, Hapkido was reintroduced by the father of Hapkido,
Yong Sool Choi
(1904-1986). Young Sool Choi began his studies at the age of nine. By the time
Choi returned to the mainstream world, Korea had already been liberated from colonial Japanese rule. Choi proceeded to impart the techniques he had learned to a select
group of disciples. These disciples began to spread and popularize Hapkido during the Korean conflict in the 1950s. Today, one would be hard pressed to find a Korean
city without Hapkido schools. Government organizations, military academies, and special military units all contain Hapkido practitioners, totaling over one million in Korea
alone.
In the United States of America, Germany, Canada, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, China, and France, there exists a solid foundation of Hapkido schools. This rapid
spread and popularization has been attributed to the efforts of master instructors and the unique nature of Hapkido itself.