Chong Chul Rhee
Encyclopedia
Rhee Chong Chul is a South Korean master
of taekwondo
who is widely known as the 'Father of Australian Taekwondo' for introducing this martial art to Australia since arriving in the 1960s. He is the founder of Rhee Taekwon-Do
, which is widely publicised as Australia's first and biggest taekwondo school. Rhee holds the title 'World Master' and the rank of 8th dan
in taekwondo. He is one of the twelve original masters of taekwondo
of the Korea Taekwon-Do Association
(KTA).
from 1910–1945. As a youth, he trained in martial arts, basketball, boxing, gymnastics, and weights. Later, he was an instructor in the Korean Marines
for three years, teaching unarmed combat to the Marine Commandoes, Marine Brigade Headquarters, and the Marine 2nd Infantry Division. Under the direction of the KTA, Rhee helped introduce the art of taekwondo to Southeast Asia—most notably in Malaysia and Singapore, but also in Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Brunei.
, South Australia, around 1965. Two of his brothers later joined him, and assist in managing parts of the school. Rhee was promoted to 8th dan in the early 1980s. He personally conducts Rhee Taekwon-Do grading examinations across most of Australia and in New Zealand four times each year.
Rhee has worked towards the reunification of Korea
, serving as a member during the third through ninth terms—and as Chairman for the eighth term—of the Oceania Division of the Advisory Council on Democratic and Peaceful Unification. He has also served as Chairman of the Seoul Olympics
Supporting Committee and founding President of the Korean Community Hall Construction Supporting Committee. The Republic of Korea awarded Rhee the Dongbaeg Medal
(동백장) in 2003 for promoting taekwondo and Korean culture over the past 33 years.
Rhee is listed as a pioneer in Asia (1950s and 1960s) and Australia (1970s) in Chang Keun Choi
's list of taekwondo pioneers.
Grandmaster (martial arts)
Grandmaster and Master are titles used to describe or address some senior or experienced martial artists. Such titles may be, to some extent, aligned to the elderly martial arts master stock character in fiction...
of taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
who is widely known as the 'Father of Australian Taekwondo' for introducing this martial art to Australia since arriving in the 1960s. He is the founder of Rhee Taekwon-Do
Rhee Taekwon-Do
Rhee Taekwon-Do , also known as Rhee Tae Kwon-Do, Rhee Tae Kwon Do, or Rhee Taekwondo, is a martial art school in Australia and New Zealand teaching the Korean martial art of taekwondo. Its full name is "Rhee International Taekwon-Do" with "" or "" appended...
, which is widely publicised as Australia's first and biggest taekwondo school. Rhee holds the title 'World Master' and the rank of 8th dan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
in taekwondo. He is one of the twelve original masters of taekwondo
Original Masters of Taekwondo
Original masters of taekwondo is a group of twelve South Korean martial art masters assembled by the Korea Taekwon-Do Association in the early 1960s to promote the newly-established art of taekwondo...
of the Korea Taekwon-Do Association
Korea Taekwondo Association
Korea Taekwondo Association , originally the Korea Taekwon-Do Association, is the first taekwondo organisation. It was founded in 1959, although official South Korean sources give 1961 as its year of establishment. In 1966, some members of the KTA, led by H. H...
(KTA).
Early life
Rhee was born in Korea during the period of Japanese occupationKorea under Japanese rule
Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
from 1910–1945. As a youth, he trained in martial arts, basketball, boxing, gymnastics, and weights. Later, he was an instructor in the Korean Marines
Republic of Korea Marine Corps
The Republic of Korea Marine Corps is the marine corps of the Republic of Korea...
for three years, teaching unarmed combat to the Marine Commandoes, Marine Brigade Headquarters, and the Marine 2nd Infantry Division. Under the direction of the KTA, Rhee helped introduce the art of taekwondo to Southeast Asia—most notably in Malaysia and Singapore, but also in Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Brunei.
Australia
Rhee was the first taekwondo master sent to Australia by the Republic of Korea, and was ranked around 5th dan at the time. He founded Rhee Taekwon-Do in AdelaideAdelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia, around 1965. Two of his brothers later joined him, and assist in managing parts of the school. Rhee was promoted to 8th dan in the early 1980s. He personally conducts Rhee Taekwon-Do grading examinations across most of Australia and in New Zealand four times each year.
Rhee has worked towards the reunification of Korea
Korean reunification
Korean reunification refers to the hypothetical future reunification of North Korea and South Korea under a single government...
, serving as a member during the third through ninth terms—and as Chairman for the eighth term—of the Oceania Division of the Advisory Council on Democratic and Peaceful Unification. He has also served as Chairman of the Seoul Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
Supporting Committee and founding President of the Korean Community Hall Construction Supporting Committee. The Republic of Korea awarded Rhee the Dongbaeg Medal
Dongbaeg Medal
Dongbaeg Medal , also written as Dongbaek Medal, is a civil award of the Republic of Korea. It is the third class of South Korea's Order of Civil Merit, which is the primary series of awards for Korean civilians...
(동백장) in 2003 for promoting taekwondo and Korean culture over the past 33 years.
Rhee is listed as a pioneer in Asia (1950s and 1960s) and Australia (1970s) in Chang Keun Choi
Chang Keun Choi
Choi Chang Keun , widely known as C. K. Choi, is a South Korean master of taekwondo, and one of the twelve original masters of taekwondo of the Korea Taekwon-Do Association...
's list of taekwondo pioneers.
External links
- Rhee Taekwon-Do Adelaide contains an interview with Rhee from c. 1975.
- Rhee Taekwon-Do Mildura contains two interviews with Rhee from 1985 and 1995.