July 4th Significance to Moo Duk Kwan
July 4th Preceeded End of Korean War by 23 Days

Please join me for a brief walk through history on this July 4th, 2023 and contemplate past events that have made today's events possible.

Hwang Kee founded his Moo Duk Kwan organization in Yong San Ku South Korea Nov 9, 1945 during Japanese occupation. His Moo Duk Kwan core values emphasize the importance of History in the education of Soo Bahk Do practitioners worldwide.  H.C. Hwang Kwan Jang Nim has authored a brief Moo Duk Kwan history quiz that you can take online or download the quiz PDF to test your knowledge of Moo Duk Kwan history.  

• https://worldmoodukkwan.com/quiz/   
  • See how your Moo Duk Kwan history knowledge score compares to others on the Leaderboard.

When we broaden our view of Moo Duk Kwan history a bit more, additional contributions to the Moo Duk Kwan existing today are equally educational.

• July 4th, 1776 the United States of America declares independence as country.
  • USA Library of Congress

America's 1st President said,
"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all."
-- George Washington

• August 15, 1945 Korean National Liberation Day and End of World War II
  • Korea National Folk Museum
    .
• June 25, 1950 North Korea invaded South Korea
  • United Nations Command

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
-- Edmund Burke

• June 27, 1950 the United States entered the Korean War.
  • USA National Archives
    .
    
• The United States led the Korean war effort and coordinated support from other countries.
  • Korean Ministry of Patriots And Veteran Affairs
    .
    
• Twenty-one countries joined and supported South Korea in the Korean war. 
  • United Nations Wall
  • Korean War Educator
    .
    
• July 27th, 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in Panmunjom ending the Korean war
  • The armistice stopped hostilities, but was not a permanent peace treaty between nations. 
  • USA National Archives
    .
    
• Honoring Korean War Veterans

National Park Service Korean War Veterans Memorial
Freedom Is Not Free
"Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met."

• • Susan Kee 
    • As a Korean American, I am humbled beyond words when I think of the worldwide response of 21 countries, who decided to respond to Communist aggression by fighting for this small, poor, and unknown country of Korea. The prosperity and freedoms that Korea enjoys today, are only possible because of the service and sacrifices made by all who came from these 21 United Nations countries. The only proper response we have as Koreans, is to thank, honor, and forever remember all who served and sacrificed their lives for Korea. With unending gratitude, love and respect to all who served

Today, on America's July 4th Independence Day in 2023, I contemplate the alternate fate that could have befallen Korea and the Moo Duk Kwan, were it not the spirit of all who stepped up to defend Korea from an aggressor.

Because of those willing to take action and sign America's Declaration of Independence on July 4th 1776, the spirit expressed in the words of George Washington, America's 1st President, has inspired  countless benevolent actions across history and that American spirit, lives on today.

Because of all those willing to take action in 1950 to stand up to wrong-doing in Korea, the Moo Duk Kwan lives today.

What a different world we might live in today had South Korea fallen along with the Moo Duk Kwan.

Thoughtfully,
Phil Duncan 

phil-duncan (23)

Phil Duncan serves as the Executive Administrator of the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation providing and coordinating support services for the U.S. Federation Board, the Kwan Jang Nim, the U.S. Technical Advisory Committee, U.S. Regional Officials, U.S. Members, the Board Directors of the charitable non-profit U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan FOUNDATION and the World Moo Duk Kwan. He can be contacted at National Member Headquarters or philduncan@soobahkdo.com or (888) SOO-BAHK
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
--Albert Pike