What you are viewing is one of the rarest and most exquisite relics in the history of Taekwondo as a sport. This is a never-before-published image of the special commendation presented to Grandmaster Jung Kil Suh by Dr. Un Yong Kim, President of the World Taekwondo Federation, in recognition of his distinguished service as a referee at the First World Taekwondo Championships, held in Seoul, Korea, in 1973.
The United States Taekwondo Museum® extends its sincere appreciation to Grandmaster Young Suh, 8th Dan, for assisting with this virtual enshrinement. Grandmaster Young Suh is the son of Grandmaster Jung Kil Suh, a respected Taekwondo pioneer whose contributions helped advance the art both in Korea and throughout the international Taekwondo community.
Grandmaster Jung Kil Suh was a direct student of Song Moo Kwan Founder Great Grandmaster Noh Byung Jik. He served as an official referee at the First World Taekwondo Championships in 1973 and again at the Second World Taekwondo Championships in 1975. In addition, he served as a bodyguard to South Korean President Park Chung-hee.
From 1977 to 1989, Grandmaster Suh resided in Toronto, Canada, where he played a significant leadership role in the development and expansion of Taekwondo throughout the country. During this period, he served as President of the WTF Taekwondo Federation of British Columbia and later as President of Taekwondo Canada, helping to strengthen the organizational foundation and national growth of Taekwondo across Canada.
The United States Taekwondo Museum® is honored to preserve and share this remarkable piece of World Taekwondo Championship history so that future generations may appreciate the legacy of those who helped shape the global development of Taekwondo.