A Vision For The Future, While Honoring The Past
Born in Jan Dan Koon, Kyungkido, Korea, on October 10, 1941. At the age of twelve, he decided to learn Taekwondo to protect himself and overcome shyness. He began training six days a week in Yong Do Po, Seoul, Korea under the Moo Duk Kwon Association with Master Myung K. Kang. His first black belt was received in 1956 at the age of fifteen, after which he became an assistant and instructor. As mentioned, Taekwondo became his life. From a shy, bullied boy to Instructor to Master and Grand Master, Jong Lee never stopped his training.
During this time, he also participated in the Korean National Team in fighting competitions. He eventually became a Taekwondo instructor for the Korean Police Department (the 728th US Military Police) and took over the Yong Do Po school in 1963 when Master Kang left for the United States. He later joined the Korean Army and taught Taekwondo in the White Horse Division and Tiger Division in Vietnam.
As a fifth-degree black belt, Master Lee and fellow Taekwondo Masters Byung Yu, Ju Kim, Yung Ahn, and Dan Choi came to the United States in 1968 at Master Kang’s request to compete in what was billed as the first US v Korea tournament. . The historical significance of this event has its place in the Taekwondo Museum at Taekwondowon. All but Master Ahn remained to open dojangs across the United States.
In the United States, Master Lee simultaneously attended school, worked a regular job and taught Taekwondo. Their Roseville, California Dojang was founded in 1969 and has remained open ever since. Today, it serves as the Global Operations center for Korea’s Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo. Like the original headquarters in Korea, it is directly across the street from a major railway station.
He was promoted to 8th Dan in 1981 under the Moo Duk Kwan and 9th Dan in 1990 (30 years ago)
Master Lee refers to himself as a “simple man with simple solutions”. This simplicity unfolds in dedication, authenticity and love. He says, “Always give people a chance.” In all his years of Taekwondo experience, he never turned away from people wanting to learn.
He has been practicing Taekwondo for over 67 years. In 1992 he co-founded the United World Taekwondo Association to further share his knowledge and understanding of Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo.
His dedication to Moo Duk Kwan started in Korea in 1953 when he started training and has been his Taekwondo root ever since. Early in his career, he remembers visiting Chairman Chong Soo Hong at the MooDukKwan headquarters and being asked to “go out and buy a sofa for the guests,” which he did.
In 2003, he was appointed by President Jae Kyu Chon as President of the Pan American Branch of the Korean Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo Association, the second most senior official position within the Kwan. In 2019, after an exhaustive search, he was chosen by President Chon to be his successor. In his quest he considered many senior members and existing officials; but, after much deliberation and discussions with other Taekwondo Kwan leaders, he decided that he wanted Grandmaster Lee to succeed him as President.
