What Is Gongkwon Yusul?

Gongkwon Yusul is a comprehensive Korean martial art system developed by Master Kang Jun. Commencing his martial arts training from a very young age, Gongkwon Yusul is the product of decades of research of many martial arts with the goal of creating a system that is dedicated to practical fighting skills. Gongkwon Yusul encompasses skills at all ranges, including punching, kicking, elbows, knees, throwing, takedowns and ground striking and grappling: all of which are intended to be applied in practical, free-flowing situations.

In 1996 Master Kang opened the first gym teaching this new system, now recognised internationally as "Gongkwon Yusul".

Gongkwon Yusul trademark

Since opening that first Gym in Seoul, the reputation of Master Kang and the effectiveness of his system spread rapidly. By 2007 Master Kang was presiding over an association with approximately 50 affiliated clubs throughout South Korea.

Both inside and outside of Korea, Gongkwon Yusul has become widely known due to exposure on its own highly popular Korean language website and also internationally through websites such as YouTube.

A distinct aspect of Gongkwon Yusul is that it combines the effective, practical technique application, often seen in sport focused "mixed martial arts", whilst at the same time, it retains all the important attributes of traditional martial arts, such as respect for others, personal development and combative orientated (non-sporting) application of techniques.

One feature of Gongkwon Yusul, and what has seemed to have captured so much international attention, is in its approach to contact sparring where takedown and groundwork techniques are truly integrated with stand-up fighting skills.

Gongkwon Yusul effectively acts as a bridge to fill the gap between archaic traditional arts and modern mixed martial art styles. It is an art that combines the best of old and new methods of training, skills and techniques and was the first martial art in history to be launched via the Internet. Gongkwon Yusul is a Martial Art for the 21st century!