The International Tang Soo Do Federation

Preserving Tradition. Building Character. Uniting Practitioners Worldwide.

The International Tang Soo Do Federation (ITF) exists for one clear purpose: to preserve the traditional art of Tang Soo Do while guiding its practitioners toward excellence in both skill and character. More than a governing body, the ITF is a living lineage—connecting dojangs, instructors, and students across the world through shared standards, shared values, and a shared responsibility to pass the art on the right way.

Founded on respect for history and a commitment to integrity, the ITF emphasizes:

Traditional technique and forms
Consistent curriculum and rank standards
Instructor development and mentorship
Character education alongside physical training

This balance—technical precision paired with moral development—is what has allowed Tang Soo Do to thrive internationally without losing its soul.

The Founder: Grandmaster Chun Sik Kim

At the heart of the ITF stands its founder, Chun Sik Kim, one of the most influential figures in modern Tang Soo Do history.

Grandmaster Kim began his martial arts journey in Korea and later immigrated to the United States, where he dedicated his life to teaching, organizing, and safeguarding Tang Soo Do. Through decades of instruction, writing, and leadership, he became known not just for technical mastery, but for his unwavering commitment to discipline, humility, and respect.

His founding of the International Tang Soo Do Federation created a home for practitioners who wanted:

Authentic Tang Soo Do instruction
Clear lineage and leadership
High standards without ego or politics

Grandmaster Kim’s vision was never about personal recognition—it was about stewardship. He believed the art does not belong to any one person, but to the generations who train it with sincerity.

Leadership Today: President Grandmaster Chun Sik Kim

As President of the International Tang Soo Do Federation, Grandmaster Chun Sik Kim continues to lead with the same steady hand and quiet strength that built the organization. In my own journey and reflections, I’ve often shared how rare his style of leadership truly is.

Grandmaster Kim holds firm standards without arrogance, maintains high expectations grounded in compassion, and leads with an authority that comes from example, not intimidation. Those qualities are not just admirable—they are instructional.

What has always stood out to me is that Grandmaster Kim teaches just as much through how he carries himself as through his words. His presence reinforces one of the most important lessons in Tang Soo Do:

Strength without humility leads to imbalance, but humility without strength leaves potential unrealized.

That philosophy is not just spoken—it is lived, and it flows through every level of the International Tang Soo Do Federation. It shapes how instructors teach, how students train, and how we are expected to conduct ourselves both inside and outside the dojang.

The ITF Philosophy in Practice

The International Tang Soo Do Federation is intentionally structured to reinforce growth over time, not shortcuts. Rank advancement is earned, not rushed. Titles are respected, not chased. Instructors are expected to continue learning, not simply teaching.

This approach reflects Grandmaster Kim’s belief that Tang Soo Do is:

A lifelong practice
A vehicle for self-improvement
A responsibility to others

It’s why ITF schools emphasize etiquette, self-control, and community involvement alongside kicking, striking, and forms.

Why the ITF Matters

In an era where martial arts can be watered down or commercialized, the International Tang Soo Do Federation stands as a safeguard of authenticity. Through clear lineage, consistent standards, and principled leadership, the ITF ensures that students today are training the same art—both physically and philosophically—that was passed down generations before them.

For those within the federation, Tang Soo Do is not just something you do.
It’s something you live.