About Hapkido

Hapkido is the primary martial art taught at our Academy.

A great way to describe Hapkido is as a "Mixed Martial Art" due to its diverse range of techniques. However, unlike the modern "Mixed Martial Arts" focusing on competition and sport, we emphasise practical self-defence, not athletic performance.

Hapkido equips you with the skills to protect yourself and others from unprovoked violence. It blends hand strikes, kicks, joint locks, holds, takedowns, throws, and ground fighting. The core principle of Hapkido involves redirecting the force of an opponent’s attack and responding with an appropriate defensive or offensive technique based on the situation.

This makes Hapkido a unique and versatile martial art that prepares you to handle various self-defence scenarios, regardless of your age or stage in life.
 

Hapkido in New Zealand 


Hapkido was founded in South Korea around 1950 by Grandmaster Choi Yong Sul. 

Initially, Grandmaster Choi’s (pronounced 'Chae') version of Hapkido consisted of about 35 techniques derived from Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu (Traditional Hapkido). Over time, these techniques were expanded to include powerful kicking techniques, other martial skills, and various weapon systems introduced by some of Grandmaster Choi’s first-generation students, leading to what we now recognise as Modern Hapkido.

Grandmaster Jung Nam Lee introduced the style of Modern Hapkido practised at our Academy, known as New Zealand Hapkido, to New Zealand in 1975. Grandmaster Lee developed an efficient and effective form of Hapkido, proving its value over time. Our training focuses on preserving and advancing Grandmaster Lee’s original teachings and philosophy, emphasising Hapkido as a self-defence martial art rather than a sport.

Since 2013, we have also incorporated additional material from the Hanminjok Hapkido style where appropriate, further enriching our curriculum.

As of July 2024, the Upper Hutt Martial Arts Academy serves as the headquarters for Hapkido New Zealand, an informal collective of seven Hapkido schools across the country.

 

Grandmaster Jung Nam Lee (Deceased, 9th Dan Hapkido)


Grandmaster Lee was the founder of both Hapkido and Taekwondo in New Zealand. 

Grandmaster Choi Yong Sul originally trained him in Hapkido and awarded him the rank of 4th Dan. 

After leaving the South Korean Army in 1971 as a Captain (Special Forces), Grandmaster Lee became the director of the Bong Hwa Hapkido and Taekwondo Gymnasium in Seoul.

Grandmaster Lee was awarded the NZJJF Outstanding Service Award in 2022 (delayed from 2020 due to covid). 

Grandmaster Lee passed away in early 2023.

 

 

Grandmaster In Sun Seo (10th Dan Hapkido)


Grandmaster In Sun Seo (pronounced Suh) is also a direct student of Hapkido's founder, Grandmaster Choi Yong Sul. In 1957, he earned his 1st Dan black belt from Grandmaster Choi and advanced to 3rd Dan. 

After serving in the South Korean Army during the Vietnam War, he returned to Korea, where he co-founded a Hapkido sub-style called "Kuk Sool Won" before eventually developing Hanminjok Hapkido. Since then, Grandmaster Seo has dedicated his life to the training and evolution of Hapkido.

Grandmaster Seo is widely regarded as one of the most respected martial artists in South Korea. In June 2024, he officially retired from his executive roles within the World Kido Federation and the Hanminjok Hapkido Association, passing on the organisation's leadership to his two sons, Grandmaster Scott Seo and Grandmaster Steve Seo.

For more information about Grandmaster In Sun Seo, click here.

 

World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association


Our membership in the World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association allows us to maintain our independence while allowing our members to travel internationally for additional Hapkido training and participate in global events. 

These experiences expose us to various Hapkido sub-styles, providing valuable insights that help us benchmark our practice. This ensures that our training remains up-to-date, relevant, and of the highest quality. Additionally, our Black Belt members can be formally registered in Korea with the Korean Ministry of Culture and Sports, provided they meet the necessary standards of skill and commitment.

Since 2013, members of the Upper Hutt Martial Arts Academy and our affiliated New Zealand Hapkido schools have attended all major international events hosted by the World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association. 

These include the biennial Korea Trip and Hapkido World Championships in South Korea and the alternated biennial Member Summits in San Francisco. 

We also host the biennial Hapkido Oceania Cup in New Zealand—an official World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association event—where we frequently welcome Grandmaster Seo's eldest son, Grandmaster Scott Seo. 

 

Martial Arts Professionals


Our membership with Martial Arts Professionals ensures that our facility, training methods, and business practices constantly evolve and align with the latest martial arts industry standards.

Grandmaster Fari Salievski, an 8th Dan Black Belt with the World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association, leads martial Arts Professionals. He founded the KMA network, a group of martial arts schools across Australia.

Grandmaster Fari is a regular guest instructor at our Academy and also leads our Hapkido Ground Combatives class.

 

 

 

 

New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation


Sport New Zealand, the WCJJO, and the ISJA recognise the NZJJF (new Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation) as the governing body for all styles of Ju-Jitsu in New Zealand.

Since Hapkido and Ju-Jitsu share a common ancestry, the NZJJF welcomed our Academy into its membership in early 2020.

Being a member of the NZJJF allows our instructors to earn formal coaching qualifications through a progressive coaching program accredited by Sport New Zealand.

Additionally, NZJJF membership provides a pathway for students interested in competing in sports such as Judo, BJJ, and MMA and attending seminars offered to the NZJJF community. 

 

Pathfinder Martial Arts


Callum Forbes founded Pathfinder Martial Arts to reflect his professional approach to our Academy's operation and the way we train. 

While maintaining our core focus on Hapkido, we constantly evolve and adapt our teaching methods to remain relevant in an ever-changing world. This includes not only how we run our classes but also how we manage our Academy. 

Traditionally, martial arts schools in New Zealand have operated as amateur clubs or societies, but a more professional model is required in today’s increasingly regulated and complex environment. Pathfinder was created to help martial arts schools transition to this model while preserving their original culture.

Callum has been running his school since 1994, and Pathfinder combines his 30 years of experience in school management and teaching with access to some of the world's leading martial arts innovators.

Pathfinder Martial Arts was designed to support our original Hapkido schools and welcome other martial artists who want to join our wider family of schools. We offer support in several ways, including training individuals with no prior Hapkido experience in our style or providing guidance and direction to those who may not teach Hapkido but want to enhance their martial arts knowledge and skills.

 

Other New Zealand Hapkido Federation Schools


In addition to the New Zealand Headquarters Dojang in Upper Hutt, we currently have seven other affiliated schools in the following cities: 

Contact Us

p: 021 330 989 e: Callum Forbes


Member of the World Kido Fedjeration and Haminjok Hapkido Association
 
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