Hapkido Online: Update

Hello Hapkido Friends,

You may have noticed the Korean text at the top of Hapkido Online.  Getting it on there was quite an adventure.  I admit freely that I do not speak Korean, if anybody out there does perhaps you can tell me if I've got it right.  According to three different digital translators this is the most literal translation of Hapkido Online.

Another change is I've removed the static image on the homepage and replaced it with a nice clean slideshow that gives new people a taste of what the site is about without having to read much or click around.

I also replaced the flaming hand art with a more refined looking version.  Now you can see the tips of the fingers for example.

I think the sight is starting to really look nice.  A quick search of the very little competition out there and I think you will agree, ours is the nicest.

On the content side of things we've got nearly 85% of Yellow Belt complete.  More yellow belt filming next week hopefully.

I've begun textual and graphic work on High Yellow.  Included is some very fine instruction from Master Tim.  I've decided to insert the interception drills in at this level.  Some have advised that I should introduce it at the very beginning.  However I want it to be on the paid side of the password because the stuff is combat gold.  For you members feel free to skip ahead a bit and try the drills, they are awesome.  We do not have film of these just yet.  Hopefully we can grab some video next week.

Finally my birthday is near (12th of July) and the only thing I asked for this year was the graphic software to make my very own custom fight science style visuals of the human body. As I have promised so I will deliver.  I can't wait to get started.

Respectfully,
Instructor Jon

www.hapkido-online.com

P.S.  I would like to ask a prayer request for Mr. Braxton.  You might know him as Master Tim's faithful uke.  Braxton has developed tendinitis in his wrist and it's impeding his progress.  Not only is Braxton Master Tim's son but he is an accomplished Hapkidoin in his own right.  Get well soon my brother.

I would also like to ask a prayer request for Mr. John who is David's uke and an accomplished Martial Artist as well.  Mr. John has a broken foot.  Hang in there and get well soon.

Inside North Korea, a Review and Commentary

I recently watched the National Geographic Documentary Inside North Korea.  The show follows an optometric surgeon who has been granted rare access to the most secretive country on the planet.  Nat Geo's own Lisa Ling and her film team pose as helpers to the medical team.

I have a special fondness for the Korean people.  For years I've studied Korean Martial arts and I have gained insight an interest about Korea through the pursuit of their fighting skills.  Korea is situated between China and Japan and throughout history has proven to be a melting pot of the two cultures.  Nowhere is this more evident than in Korean Martial arts.  In spite of foreign influences the Koreans have managed to carve out a cultural identity that is all their own.

South Korea is well known but North Korea is a real mystery, even to its neighbors.  Getting to see this rare glimpse on the other side of the fence is quite shocking.  It seems an entire nation that has through fear and absolute poverty been brainwashed by Kim Jong-Il.  The show highlights just how deeply rooted this idolatry is in the North Korean Culture.

In ten days the surgeon was able to restore sight to over 1,000 North Koreans and after being able to see the first thing they did was kneel and praise an image of Kim Jong-Il.

The conditions in that country are deplorable.  Medical Care is nonexistent, food is rare, and people live in abject fear even within their own homes.  North Korea is not the third world.  The country has a massive million man army and a nuclear arsenal. Despite what it has militarily it's people live in depravity.

Frankly it breaks my heart to see such a noble people completely repressed and deluded in this way.  I don't know what the future holds for North Korea but it is clear to me that this situation is a blight on mankind.  It's an offense to all freedom loving peoples and cultures.  As an American it's easy to pass judgment on North Korea as an evil regime worthy of destruction.  I hope that in time we will remember that the Korean people are ultimately victims of the their communists oppressors.  The North Koreans hate us because that is all their culture and government have taught them about us.

The Soviet Union fell under the economic weight of itself.  One hopes that eventually Communist North Korea will fall as well.  It is certainly on the ropes.  My hope for North Korea comes from South Korea.  South Korea fought alongside us in the Korean war and they still stand side by side with American soldiers every day guarding the line.  This author hopes that someday when Kim Jong-Il's evil regime falls and the communists throw in the towel that North Koreans will reunite with family in South Korea and the South Koreans will show them the joys of freedom and that America isn't the demon they have been lead to believe.