History

Ji Han-Jae began training in Hapkido under Choi Young-Sool in 1949. When Ji was eighteen he began training with a man who he refers to as Taoist Lee. Taoist Lee trained Ji in Korean weapons such as the Jang-Bong (6' staff), the Dan-Bong (short stick) as well as Tae-Kyun Kicking techniques. As well, a lady monk known only to him as "Grandma" taught Ji spiritual power for nearly five years. By the early 1960's with the help of his student Kim Moo Wong, Grand Master Ji finalized the first actual Hapkido curriculum.

Since Grandmaster Ji Han Jae has codified the art of Hapkido, there have been many pioneers. Master Sea Ho Choi and Grandmaster Han Bong Soo brought Hapkido to America. Kim Soo Bong (Germany) and Kim Duk In (France) brought Hapkido to Europe. Grandmaster Kim brought Hapkido to South East Asia.

Grand Master Ji has relocated to the United States of America and founded his own federation called "Sin Moo Hapkido" and continued on his teachings and further development of this art. Today, there are many Hapkido organizations in the world and most of the Korean masters were once a student of Grand Master Ji.

Our own Federation's Grand Master Kim Jin Pal is one of the top students of Grand Master Ji Han Jae from Seoul, Korea. The Jin Pal Hapkido Martial Arts Federation was founded by Grand Master Kim Jin Pal in 1990 after he immigrated to the United States. After seeing many instructors (some of whom had no formal training in Hapkido) misused and abused the name "Hapkido", Grand Master Kim decided to trademark his name "Jin Pal" into a registered martial art. It is our federation's objective to preserve the techniques and promote the spirit of Hapkido as it was taught many years ago.

Watch the Introductory clip of Jin Pal Hapkido

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