Kim Jeong-ho Calls for Overhaul of Traditional Martial Arts Support in South Korea

South Korea’s traditional martial arts are facing a crisis fueled by demographic shifts and economic pressures, prompting calls for significant policy changes. Kim Jeong-ho, President of the World Haedong Gumdo Federation, recently addressed the National Assembly, advocating for a complete redesign of the nation’s approach to supporting these cultural practices.

A Declining Landscape

Approximately 10 million South Koreans participate in traditional martial arts like Taekkyeon, Korean archery, Hapkido, and Haedong Gumdo. However, a declining birth rate and economic recession are threatening the viability of many training centers, potentially leading to the loss of a cultural heritage that has spread to over 100 countries without substantial government assistance.

Structural Issues and Policy Gaps

Kim highlighted a lack of systematic leadership development within traditional martial arts, contrasting it with the structured approach seen in Taekwondo programs linked to university departments. Hapkido, special martial arts, and Haedong Gumdo have historically relied on private initiatives, achieving international reach over more than 40 years without significant state funding. This success is attributed to individual leaders proactively expanding their arts overseas and sustaining international exchanges at their own expense.

A key concern is the instability within the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s traditional martial arts department, which has seen frequent personnel changes – three team leaders and three administrative officers replaced in the past two years. This turnover hinders the development of trusting relationships with the martial arts community and prevents consistent policy implementation.

The ‘Traditional Martial Arts Promotion Act’ and its Limitations

Despite the existence of the ‘Traditional Martial Arts Promotion Act’ (enacted in 2008 and revised in 2025), Kim argues that its core components, such as the designation of training sports, are not being effectively implemented. The lack of defined standards for designating events and a dysfunctional feedback channel for martial artists contribute to a sense of frustration and disillusionment.

Criticism of the International Martial Arts Center

Kim also criticized the International Martial Arts Center in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, alleging that it prioritizes supporting overseas martial arts with national funding while neglecting domestic traditional practices. He argued that the center operates as a domestic corporation, not a UNESCO-affiliated organization, and its benefits are not adequately returning to the Korean martial arts community. This contrasts with the national support provided to Wushu and Tai Chi in China, and Judo and Kendo in Japan.

A Three-Stage Policy Proposal

Kim presented a three-stage policy alternative to the National Assembly, outlining a path forward for revitalizing traditional martial arts:

• Stage 1 (Short-term): Immediate establishment of the 2nd basic plan for traditional martial arts promotion to restore policy predictability.
• Stage 2 (Mid-term): Revising stock designation standards to reflect current social changes, proposing a shift from ‘3rd generation 60 to 90 years’ to ‘30 generations and 30 years,’ and requiring a minimum of 8 provincial/regional branches and 10 dojos nationwide to qualify.
• Stage 3 (Long-term): Complete reorganization of the International Martial Arts Center into a ‘Traditional Martial Arts Promotion Center’ focused on supporting Korean martial arts leaders and developing national demonstration teams.

Looking Ahead

Kim Jeong-ho’s proposals have drawn attention to the urgent need for substantive follow-up measures from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and scrutiny from the National Assembly. The future of these traditional practices, representing a significant part of South Korea’s cultural identity, hinges on effective policy changes and sustained support. As Kim emphasized, these martial arts should be positioned as a dynamic “K-Martial” force for the AI and robot era, rather than relegated to the status of historical artifacts.

Source: Korea Martial Arts Newspaper