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| [Column] Reasons Why WTF President Must Be Korean |
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| MAC California Secretary General Hong Lae Kim; Translation: James Kim (2009/09/04) ㅣ reco:25 |
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Response to Master Kwon's column titled 'Truth behind WTF and its distortion'
First of all, I would like to thank you for taking your time to read my column. But after reading Master Geun Duk Kwon's column, who is the President of United States National Taekwondo Federation (not sure what organization this is), I felt there was no logic in what he was saying and it made me question his character.
I believe the difference between Master Kwon and me is how we perceive current affairs. I look at the future of Taekwondo while Master Kwon is basically speaking for Nat Indrapana and former WTF President Un Yong Kim.
Through his column, Master Kwon supports Nat Indrapana and former WTF President Un Yong Kim. I feel his support for him would make sense if he actually worked for him or is affiliated with him. However, that's not the case. I do not understand his reasons for supporting Nat Indrapana who is a foreign IOC member. This reminds me of the Chosun days when we were dependent on outside power.
I question Master Kwon's identity. If he is master with honor and pride, he should worry about the future of Taekwondo. What is he trying to accomplish by supporting a foreigner? On July 3rd, President Kwon has submitted a petition with 900 signatures of local masters around his area.
Petition reads "based on current events in Taekwondo, we cannot guarantee the safety of Taekwondo after 2012 Olympic Games. We will do whatever is necessary to make sure Taekwondo stays in the Olympics Games in 2016" and added "former WTF President Un Yong Kim is the best man for the job. We fully support him and reply on his leadership" and submitted a petition signed by 900 masters to Kukkiwon supporting Dr. Un Yong Kim.
But we must realize this. What Dr. Kim has accomplished has to remain as a past accomplishment. We all know what he has done for Taekwondo and nobody will deny him of his great accomplishments. However, how long are we going to rely on him? What will we do when the times comes where he is no longer here? Are we going to have his spirit run Kukkiwon? We must consider his age and it's time for a new generation of leaders to step forward. I believe even if we offer Dr. Kim the role to lead us once again, he will decline that offer.
On July 6th, Nat Indrapana made a comment "2016 Olympic Games does not look good for Taekwondo. I am running for WTF Presidency to make sure Taekwondo is part of 2016 Olympic Games."
I will now state the reasons why I distrust WTF Presidency candidate, Nat Indrapana.
First, as an official, he does not take responsibility for his words. On August 13th, it was announced Taekwondo will remain in Olympics games in 2016. He has not taken himself out of the candidacy even after the announcement.
Second, now that Taekwondo is in 2016 Olympics games, he is now saying Taekwondo is not safe in 2020 Olympic Games. This is a classic 'boy who cried wolf' scenario. With that comment, he has once again intimidated our Taekwondo practitioners.
Third, we cannot rely on his source. On July 6th, he claimed Taekwondo does not look good for 2016 Olympic Games. A month later, it has been confirmed it will be in the Olympic Games in 2016. He cannot even predict what will happen next month. I do not feel confident putting our future in his hands.
But on his column, Master Kwon praised Nat Indrapana. Master Kwon also said in his column, "He has support from the IOC and he has a vital role in programming committee." He also wrote "It was announced back in 2005 in Singapore that Taekwondo will be part of 2016 Olympic Games." This is the first time I've heard of this news. If in fact this announcement was made back in 2005, why were we so concerned that Taekwondo will be taken out of the Olympic Games in year 2016?
Nat Indrapana says Taekwondo is not safe in 2016 Olympic Games. Master Kwon says it has already been announced that it will be part of it in 2005. When you look at those two statement, who knows who is telling the truth but based the petition Master Kwon submitted to Kukkiwon, we are in a situation where Taekwondo is not safe after 2012 Olympic Games. He even wrote "We will do whatever is necessary to make sure Taekwondo stays in the Olympics Games in 2016." To say the least, Master Kwon himself was worried that Taekwondo will be omitted in 2016 Olympic Games before July 3rd.
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Four Reasons
I sincerely hope Master Kwon is not looking for a personal gain with the support from Thailand. I will not explain why Nat Indrapana should not be the next WTF President. I also hope Kukkiwon will realize the future of Taekwondo relies on who becomes the next WTF President.
Reason why WTF President must be Korean
First: world Taekwondo's foundation is fragile.
Taekwondo became an Olympic sport in a half a century. Taekwondo is suffering because its quality as a sport is not improving. I believe Taekwondo will improve drastically if sport Taekwondo and martial art Taekwondo come together as one. WTF is an organization for sport Taekwondo but lacks martial arts side of Taekwondo. Kukkiwon's foundation is fragile because it has failed to establish a network with the world.
Second: Kukkiwon can become primitive
Kukkiwon is currently at an unstable state. One can say Taekwondo practitioners from all over the world want their Dan certificate because it's an official certificate. But another reason is, if they want to compete at WTF sanctioned championships, one must have "Kukkiwon certified Dan ceritificate."
Up until now, since the President of the WTF has been Korean, that rule has been kept safe. However, if a non-Korean is to take WTF President position, that rule can be changed and the value of Kukkiwon Dan certificate will no doubt disappear. And if a foreign WTF President develops a WTF Dan system and offers training for masters, Kukkiwon will eventually fall.
Third: Lets us consider WTF headquarter relocating
If a non-Korean becomes the President of WTF, one can assume he will have many demands to Korean government. If their demands are not met, it is highly possible that WTF headquarter will be relocated. If that happens, Korea will lose its significance as a birthplace of Taekwondo.
We cannot fully believe Nat Indrapana when he says "WTF headquarter will not be relocated." We cannot believe the words of a man who does not take responsibility of his words.
Fourth: Making changes Olympic Taekwondo competition rule book is a huge loss for Korea
Taekwondo competitions are conducted with Korean terminology. However, if one was to propose changing the rules to English to eliminate confusion during the Olympic Games, it will be determined by voting either for or against the proposal. If the WTF President is not Korean, nobody will be there to vote against the proposal. For these reason, I believe WTF President must remain Korean.
(MOOKAS USA is not responsible for contents expressed in this article)
- James Kim (james@mookas.us)
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| Netizens' Opinions |
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usatoday |
| I am still holding out for a hook-nose Jew bastard candidate to run the WTF. At least we know they will be watching every penny. |
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(2009-09-22) |
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Prof. Montalvo |
| Taekwondo is not only for korean is a world wide sports , Like basket , judo and boxing and others contact sports. |
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(2009-09-16) |
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usatoday |
| I think he is a member. The funny things is that sometimes they forget to make slanted eyeholes in their hoods. |
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(2009-09-16) |
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European |
| Is he member in the KKKK? (Korean Klu Klux Klan) |
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(2009-09-15) |
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bright light |
| WTF is just a tournament committee, the IF of Taekwondo for the IOC, it does not matter who is president from a race point of view. Kukkiwon is a different matter. |
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(2009-09-09) |
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usatoday |
| I would be happy if Pragalos is president of WTF. He likes to bend me over his desk and stick it in without lube. Plus, with a Korean president you may get a thinker but you are guaranteed a drinker. |
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(2009-09-08) |
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US |
| TKDMAN, I'm not sure where I was being immature with my previous comment. Why don't YOU grow up give me some legitimate logic opinon on the actual matter instead of just agreeing with someone else's comment and making an idiotic comment which makes NO sense. |
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(2009-09-05) |
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US |
| I AM Korean and I'm not racist but I dont feel WTF President HAS to be Korean. Yes, TKD in a Korean martial art. However, millions of people from different countries now dedicate their LIVES for the art. If Korean leaders can NOT do their job for these people, then WTF President does NOT have to be Korean. Yes, I AM Korean. |
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(2009-09-04) |
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MK |
| lol. so if Korea loses its power in Taekwondo, Taekwondo i doomed? yes, Taekwondo is Korean art. But it's a global asset. Is this guy racist? lol. |
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(2009-09-04) |
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