Biography of Young Sook Kim
I was born and raised in Mapo-gu, Ahyun-dong, South Korea until I moved to the United States in 1979. I got married in Michigan and had two beautiful daughters, and then moved to Los Angeles in 1987.
I’ve never stopped Taekwondo for almost 60 years since I was ten years old when I just started. This is how much I am passionate about Taekwondo.
In 1970, I opened the first women’s Taekwondo gym near Ehwa Women’s University in Korea and began coaching both men and women.In 1972, I became a coach for the 8th American army corps. I acquired a coach license from Korea Coach Academy in 1974 and started teaching for the embassy officers all around the world such as U.S.A., China, France, Italy, Chile, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore. By that time, I also founded the taekwondo team in Ehwa Women’s University, Sungshin Women’s University, and Yonsei University. I trained the police officers of Mapo in Korea. I graduated from junior college of Incheon in 1975. Additionally, I was appointed as a coach of women’s national team for the pre-world game in 1978. In 1979, I was assigned as the chairman of Korean Women’s Taekwondo Foundation and appointed as the coach of Korea National women’s team for the games in Taiwan. By that time, I opened the 1st Korea National Women’s Taekwondo Competition. And I worked for U.S.T.U. as a committee member from 1980 to 1987 and worked for the Pan America Mudeok Kwon until 1995. Even though I was pregnant, I continued to coach the U.S. Women’s National Team and received appreciation from Gobiemo Muncipal de Ponce, Puerto.
In 1980, I became first woman referee and participated in the World Taekwondo Competition in Barcelona, Spain in 1987. In 1984, I was assigned to World Taekwondo Federation (WT) as a committee member. In 1995, I participated in the 5th World Women’s Taekwondo Competition in Manila, Philippines and was assigned to Pan America Taekwondo Union as a committee member. Furthermore, in 1998, I acquired 1st class international referee license and founded the International Women’s Taekwondo Federation (IWTF) in 1999. Additionally, I provided VIP security for special guests since 1970. In 2000, I helped open the 1st International Open Competition and as assigned to WF as a committee member and appointed as an advisor in 2003. In 2005, I was invited to the committee of Peace Union and opened the 1st L.A. Taekwondo Competition. In 2009, I was assigned as a committee member of WT and invited to Kaemyong University as a guest speaker. In 2003, I attended Korea University Reunion as an alumnus of Korea University. I’ve been working for Peace Union Committee since 2011.
After I moved to California, I opened World Taekwondo Studio. Since then I have been volunteering for the Jeopardy Program under the department of Police in the valley since 2012 as well as teaching in middle and high school programs like Reseda high school since 2013.
In January 2015 I received Award of Achievement from The National Unification Advisory council Los Angeles Chapter. In September 2015, I was recognized by the Minister of Culture Sports Tourism on Tae Kwon Do Day.
In March 2016 I received the Presidential Platinum Award from Barack Obama in recognition to commitment to healthy and active lifestyle and being an inspirational role model to others by achieving one million volunteer points towards teaching Tae Kwon Do to others.I am confident and extremely proud that my whole life has been in the service of Taekwondo and strive to contribute to the enhancement of it.
