Association Information
3 Purposes of Tang Soo Do Training
- Self-Defense: We protect our lives and possessions from injustice and danger.
- Health: We promote our physical, mental, and spiritual health and enjoy strong bodies and sound minds through rigorous training.
- Better Person: We strive to be of better character through endurance and hard work.
5 Codes of Tang Soo Do (Tang Soo Do Oh Pu)
Two Warrior Aristocrats, (member of the Hwa Rang Dan), Kwi San and Chu Hwang received 5 codes from a monk named Won Kwang. The 5 codes are guides to live by, and they have been passed down as a way of life from generation to generation for centuries. Tang Soo Do practitioners still follow these codes today.
1. Loyalty to Country (Nara E Chung Sung) 2. Obedience to Parents (Boo Moo E Hyo Do) 3. Honor Friendship (Boung Woo Yoo Shin) 4. No Retreat in Battle (Imm Jun Moo Toi) 5. In Fighting Choose with Sense and Honor (Sal Sang Yoo Taek) |
7 Tenets of Tang Soo Do (Tang Soo Do Chong Shin)
1. Integrity (Yom Chi)
2. Concentration (Chung Shin Tong Il)
3. Perseverance (In Neh)
4. Respect & Obedience (Chon Kyung)
5. Self-Control (Kuk Ki)
6. Humility (Kyum Son)
7. Indomitable Spirit (Paek Jol Bul Gul)
2. Concentration (Chung Shin Tong Il)
3. Perseverance (In Neh)
4. Respect & Obedience (Chon Kyung)
5. Self-Control (Kuk Ki)
6. Humility (Kyum Son)
7. Indomitable Spirit (Paek Jol Bul Gul)
14 Attitude Requirements of Tang Soo Do
The fourteen attitude requirements of Tang Soo Do apply to all members and are meant to guide the Tang Soo Do Practitioner. All Members are required to memorize them and fully understand their meaning.
1. Purpose of training should be enhancement of mental and physical betterment.
2. Serious approach.
3. All out effort.
4. Maintain regular and constant practice.
5. Practice basic techniques all the time.
6. Regularly spaced practice sessions.
7. Always listen to and follow the direction of instructor or seniors.
8. Do not be overly ambitious.
9. Frequently inspect your own achievements.
10. Always follow a routine training schedule.
11. Repeatedly practice all techniques already learned.
12. When you learn new techniques, learn thoroughly the theory and philosophy as well.
13. When you begin to feel idle, try to overcome this.
14. Cleanliness is required after training. Keep yourself and your surroundings clean.
1. Purpose of training should be enhancement of mental and physical betterment.
2. Serious approach.
3. All out effort.
4. Maintain regular and constant practice.
5. Practice basic techniques all the time.
6. Regularly spaced practice sessions.
7. Always listen to and follow the direction of instructor or seniors.
8. Do not be overly ambitious.
9. Frequently inspect your own achievements.
10. Always follow a routine training schedule.
11. Repeatedly practice all techniques already learned.
12. When you learn new techniques, learn thoroughly the theory and philosophy as well.
13. When you begin to feel idle, try to overcome this.
14. Cleanliness is required after training. Keep yourself and your surroundings clean.
Student Creed
I intend to develop myself in a positive manner and to avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth or physical health.
I intend to develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.
I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively to help myself and my fellow man, and never to be abusive or offensive.
I intend to develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.
I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively to help myself and my fellow man, and never to be abusive or offensive.
World Tang Soo Do Association Emblem

Six Stars: Represents the six inhabited continents and shows that Tang Soo Do is now worldwide.
Um, Yang: The Red and Blue Half-Circle Symbol represents universal concept of opposing but complimentary forces. It is also the central symbol of the Korean Flag where Tang Soo Do originated.
Flying Side Kick: Represents the Special and Unique Character of Tang Soo Do and the Whole Person Concept.
Red Circle: Unity and Brotherhood / Sisterhood.
Globe: Means our organization covers the World.
Bottom Belt: The Master's Belt represents the ultimate goal of all Tang Soo Do students.
Practitioner: Mastering the Art of Tang Soo Do.
Color Combination: Red, Blue, & Black
Um, Yang: The Red and Blue Half-Circle Symbol represents universal concept of opposing but complimentary forces. It is also the central symbol of the Korean Flag where Tang Soo Do originated.
Flying Side Kick: Represents the Special and Unique Character of Tang Soo Do and the Whole Person Concept.
Red Circle: Unity and Brotherhood / Sisterhood.
Globe: Means our organization covers the World.
Bottom Belt: The Master's Belt represents the ultimate goal of all Tang Soo Do students.
Practitioner: Mastering the Art of Tang Soo Do.
Color Combination: Red, Blue, & Black
Founder & GrandMaster (Kwan Chang Nim) Jae Chul Shin

GrandMaster Jae Chul Shin is the Founder and President of the World Tang Soo Do Association, and is one of the leading figures of martial arts in the world today.
He was born in Korea on December 20th, 1936, and began his long and distinguished career in martial arts at the age of twelve. During his childhood, an unknown monk initially inspired in him a strong desire to learn martial arts. Later in 1947, he joined Seoul Moo Duk Kwan Central Gym and began serious study under Grandmaster Hwang Kee, the Founder of the Korean Tang Soo Do Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan System.
By the time he was First Degree Black Belt (Cho Dan), he had already started his teaching career as an Assistant Instructor at the Central Gym. After that he taught at Korean University, Seoul Central YMCA, various colleges, and many police and military institutions. His many years of teaching experience and his extreme dedication have added to his scientific and unique methods of teaching Tang Soo Do. His six fields of expertise include Self-Defense, Forms, Breaking, Weapons, Health Care, and Meditation. He has evolved these separate arts into one of the finest and most effective martial arts organizations: The World Tang Soo Do Association.
When he was recruited to the Korean Air Force in 1958, he had his first experience teaching American soldiers, including Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris at Osan Air Base, South Korea. After receiving his Master's Degree in Political Science from Korea University in 1968, he came to the United States in order to extend his instruction of foreign students after spending nearly 20 years teaching at various colleges, and many police and military institutions all over South Korea. He was sent to America as a delegate of the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association.
GrandMaster Jae Chul Shin established his first school in Burlington, New Jersey, and he also formed the United States Tang Soo Do Federation in 1968, which spread all over the world. That same year when he came to the United States of America, Black Belt Magazine honored him for all time by devoting a full chapter to him in the book, "20th Century Warriors: Prominent Men in the Oriental Fighting Arts," putting him in the company of the most legendary martial arts figures ever. GrandMaster Shin, one of the most respected and well known masters in this century, is one of the few masters who has devoted his entire life to the traditional martial arts.
In addition to insisting on disciplined, rigorous training and exacting techniques, he has always preached that the true value of martial arts training is in its application to everyday life. Teaching children is one of his favorite pastimes and he has become an expert in child development. His advice to his Black Belt Instructors is good advice for teachers of all kinds, "When examining your abilities as an Instructor, examine your young student's manners, attitudes, school reports, and health conditions. Their improvements should mirror your own."
On November 13th-14th, 1982, he held a Charter Convention to reorganize Tang Soo Do to meet new international demands, and he founded the World Tang Soo Do Association. He was appointed GrandMaster at that time. He is the author of Six Volumes of the book series entitled Traditional Tang Soo Do. In 2010, he was promoted to Ninth Degree Black Belt (Ku Dan) at the World Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, after spending 27 years at the rank of Eight Degree Black Belt (Pahl Dan). In April 2012, his dream of creating a legacy for the World Tang Soo Do Association has begun as the new permanent home of the World HeadQuarters opened in Burlington, North Carolina.
GrandMaster Shin has proclaimed three Mottos: Traditionalism, Professionalism, and Brotherhood/Sisterhood, and he brings these qualities with him wherever he travels and teaches. The demands of the World Tang Soo Do Associations require that GrandMaster Shin travel all over the world responding to the requests for his instruction. Grandmaster Shin is respected as a true leader, teacher, master of masters, and humanitarian.
Sadly, GrandMaster Shin passed away peacefully on the morning of July 9th, 2012 at the New World HeadQuarters in Burlington, North Carolina. Both Private and Public Services were held in July 2012 in coordination with the 2012 WTSDA World Championship.
He was born in Korea on December 20th, 1936, and began his long and distinguished career in martial arts at the age of twelve. During his childhood, an unknown monk initially inspired in him a strong desire to learn martial arts. Later in 1947, he joined Seoul Moo Duk Kwan Central Gym and began serious study under Grandmaster Hwang Kee, the Founder of the Korean Tang Soo Do Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan System.
By the time he was First Degree Black Belt (Cho Dan), he had already started his teaching career as an Assistant Instructor at the Central Gym. After that he taught at Korean University, Seoul Central YMCA, various colleges, and many police and military institutions. His many years of teaching experience and his extreme dedication have added to his scientific and unique methods of teaching Tang Soo Do. His six fields of expertise include Self-Defense, Forms, Breaking, Weapons, Health Care, and Meditation. He has evolved these separate arts into one of the finest and most effective martial arts organizations: The World Tang Soo Do Association.
When he was recruited to the Korean Air Force in 1958, he had his first experience teaching American soldiers, including Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris at Osan Air Base, South Korea. After receiving his Master's Degree in Political Science from Korea University in 1968, he came to the United States in order to extend his instruction of foreign students after spending nearly 20 years teaching at various colleges, and many police and military institutions all over South Korea. He was sent to America as a delegate of the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association.
GrandMaster Jae Chul Shin established his first school in Burlington, New Jersey, and he also formed the United States Tang Soo Do Federation in 1968, which spread all over the world. That same year when he came to the United States of America, Black Belt Magazine honored him for all time by devoting a full chapter to him in the book, "20th Century Warriors: Prominent Men in the Oriental Fighting Arts," putting him in the company of the most legendary martial arts figures ever. GrandMaster Shin, one of the most respected and well known masters in this century, is one of the few masters who has devoted his entire life to the traditional martial arts.
In addition to insisting on disciplined, rigorous training and exacting techniques, he has always preached that the true value of martial arts training is in its application to everyday life. Teaching children is one of his favorite pastimes and he has become an expert in child development. His advice to his Black Belt Instructors is good advice for teachers of all kinds, "When examining your abilities as an Instructor, examine your young student's manners, attitudes, school reports, and health conditions. Their improvements should mirror your own."
On November 13th-14th, 1982, he held a Charter Convention to reorganize Tang Soo Do to meet new international demands, and he founded the World Tang Soo Do Association. He was appointed GrandMaster at that time. He is the author of Six Volumes of the book series entitled Traditional Tang Soo Do. In 2010, he was promoted to Ninth Degree Black Belt (Ku Dan) at the World Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, after spending 27 years at the rank of Eight Degree Black Belt (Pahl Dan). In April 2012, his dream of creating a legacy for the World Tang Soo Do Association has begun as the new permanent home of the World HeadQuarters opened in Burlington, North Carolina.
GrandMaster Shin has proclaimed three Mottos: Traditionalism, Professionalism, and Brotherhood/Sisterhood, and he brings these qualities with him wherever he travels and teaches. The demands of the World Tang Soo Do Associations require that GrandMaster Shin travel all over the world responding to the requests for his instruction. Grandmaster Shin is respected as a true leader, teacher, master of masters, and humanitarian.
Sadly, GrandMaster Shin passed away peacefully on the morning of July 9th, 2012 at the New World HeadQuarters in Burlington, North Carolina. Both Private and Public Services were held in July 2012 in coordination with the 2012 WTSDA World Championship.
GrandMaster (Kwan Chang Nim) Robert E. Beaudoin

GrandMaster Robert E. Beaudoin is a Charter Master of the World Tang Soo Do Association and is the father of traditional Tang Soo Do in New England.
He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1942 and grew up in Connecticut. After joining the Air Force and being selected for a special language program studying Chinese at Yale University, he was stationed at Osan Air Base in Korea and got his first taste of the martial arts. In 1962 he began training in Tang Soo Do under GrandMaster Shin. This date marks the beginning of a student / teacher / friend relationship the two would share for more than 50 years. On May 12th, 1963, GrandMaster Beaudoin tested for his Black Belt in Inchon, Korea in front of GrandMaster Hwang Kee and GrandMaster Jae Chul Shin.
After returning to the United States, he set up his first school in Roswell, New Mexico while finishing his time in the Air Force at Walker Air Force Base. The school proved so successful that it expanded beyond just the service men and included wives and children. Upon completing his military service, he returned to Connecticut and opened the Academy of Karate in 1965. Meanwhile, he married JoAnn Conway, with whom he raised his children, Jennifer and Eric, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Connecticut, a Masters degree from Trinity College, and completed his Doctorate in Education from Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida. After GrandMaster Shin came to the United States in 1968 and opened his school, GrandMaster Beaudoin would regularly drive to New Jersey with groups of his students to continue his training and friendship with GrandMaster Shin. In July 1971, GrandMaster Shin promoted GrandMaster Beaudoin to the rank of Master in a special presentation by removing his own Master’s belt and tying it onto GrandMaster Beaudoin. During the succeeding years his studio grew, and through his efforts and those of his students Tang Soo Do spread throughout the New England region.
Grandmaster Beaudoin combined his martial arts teaching experience and his Doctorate in Education by starting the Quality Training and Consulting business, conducting leadership training programs for private and public organizations. He has served as a college professor at the University of Connecticut, an adjunct professor for Post University, Illinois State University, and the University of New Haven. His combination of leadership and teaching skills has helped him develop the ability to teach students from all professions and walks of life, from four to seventy years old. At the Beaudoin Academy of Karate, GrandMaster Beaudoin teaches many of his own classes including Tiny Tigers, Little Dragons, Advanced Children, Cho Dan Bo, and the Black Belt Excellence Class. GrandMaster Beaudoin has taught thousands of students in the Waterbury, Connecticut area for more than forty-five years and has promoted over three hundred Black Belts and ten Masters. He was the Secretary General and an Assistant GrandMaster of the World Tang Soo Do Association. He serveed in various capacities for community service organizations, and actively contributes to and participates in several youth programs through his church.
Grandmaster Beaudoin was promoted to the rank of Eighth Degree Black Belt (Pahl Dan) at the 2010 World Championships at the same event where Grandmaster Shin was promoted to Ninth Degree Black Belt (Ku Dan). Throughout his martial arts career loyalty has been one of the central tenets of his training and one of the primary attributes he has passed onto his students. As he begins his tenure as Grandmaster of the World Tang Soo Do Association, he has asked for unity and loyalty among all Masters, instructors and students in order to continue the vision of our Founder, Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin.
He is a professional management and training consultant who helps organizations and individuals achieve their potential and become the best that they can be. He specializes in Leadership Development, Performance Management, Productivity and Quality Improvement Systems, Interpersonal Communication, Creative Problem Solving, Team Building, and Management Skills. GrandMaster Beaudoin is President of Quality Training and Public Speaking Associates. He conducts stimulating seminars, interactive and highly successful workshops, and popular public speaking engagements. Academically, GrandMaster Beaudoin has his Doctorate in Adult Learning and Organizational Behavior. He is an instructor and lecturer for several colleges and universities, and he has successfully conducted seminar-workshop programs in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Sadly, GrandMaster Beaudoin passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on January 29th, 2020 at his home in Waterbury, Connecticut. He was posthumously promoted to Ninth Degree Black Belt (Ku Dan) on February 4th, 2020. He was originally scheduled to be promoted at the 2020 WTSDA World Championship in July 2020, however, he predeceased before that time, and that event was ultimately canceled due to the Covid Pandemic.
GrandMaster (Kwan Chang Nim) William Reese Strong

GrandMaster William Reese Strong was born in Hendersen, Texas. He began his training in 1964 in Austin, Texas at the Jhoon Rhee Institute of Tae Kwon Do under GrandMaster Jhoon Rhee. After moving to Alabama, he studied Tae Kwon Do for another ten years, and achieved his Black Belt in 1974. He continued in Tae Kwon Do through the rank of Sam Dan.
In the early 1980’s, he became a member of the United States Tang Soo Do Association and eventually received his Sah Dan Masters rank under Master Yong Ju Lee at Lee's Karate in Huntsville, Alabama. In the mid-1980’s, after learning about the World Tang Soo Do Association, he contacted GrandMaster Shin for more information. After that, he joined the World Tang Soo Do Association and Tang Soo Do has been his core martial arts since that time but over the years he has also studied Hapkido, Aikijitsu, Aikido, and Shotokan.
GrandMaster Strong now operates the North Alabama Tang Soo Do studio in Florence, Alabama. All of his family members also train with his wife holding the rank of Cho Dan and his daughters Rita and Morgan, who are an E Dan and a Sah Dan, respectively.
GrandMaster Strong has held numerous positions in the World Tang Soo Do Association over the past few decades including being a former Regional Director, the former Chairperson of the Membership Committee, and the former chairperson of the Technical Advisory Committee for over 19 years. He also served as the Secretary General and a Board Member of the WTSDA.
GrandMaster Strong has traveled to many WTSDA regions around the world and has taught at seminars, clinics, and camps. He was a judging training mentor for many years. His thesis for 7th Degree Black Belt (Chil Dan) was published in a Book called Perspectives on the Tao in Tang Soo Do. Most notably, he has been the director of the Annual Master's Clinic in the United States for 22 years, having also hosted the event for 21 years.
GrandMaster Strong holds an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and both a masters degree and a doctoral degree in Geography. He conducted research for his graduate work in Southern India. He was a Professor of Geography at the University of North Alabama for 42 years. Now he is retired from active teaching with that status of Professor Emeritus. He is currently a coordinator of the Alabama Geographic Alliance which is a member of the National Geographic Society Network of Geographic Alliances. He held the following positions at the University of North Alabama: Chair of the Department of Geography for 29 years; Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs; Member of Board of Directors of the University of North Alabama Foundation. He was a Fellow of Grosvenor Center for Geography Education at Texas State University, and for two years, from 1991 to 1993, he was the Geographer-in-Residence in the geography education program at the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC where he received the Distinguished Geography Educator Award from the National Geographic Society.
In Summer 2014 at the WTSDA World Championship, GrandMaster Strong was promoted to Eighth Degree Black Belt (Pal Dan), making him the Assistant GrandMaster of the World Tang Soo Do Association. On April 1st, 2017, at the 28th Annual Masters’ Clinic, the Board of Directors voted to approve GrandMaster Strong as the President of the World Tang Soo Do Association. He began the presidency on May 15, 2017. In this position, he is responsible for numerous administrative duties for the Association and the WTSDA Foundation including General HeadQuarters Office Policy, studio/club approval, coordination of travel for the two GrandMasters, Promotions, Financial Reporting, Legal Issues, Board Meetings, and World Championships. He is also responsible for Diplomatic Issues, Organizing Publications, and Sanctioning WTSDA Events.
GrandMaster Strong became the GrandMaster in January 2020, and he was promoted to Ninth Degree Black Belt (Ku Dan) at the United States National Championship in October 2021.
In the early 1980’s, he became a member of the United States Tang Soo Do Association and eventually received his Sah Dan Masters rank under Master Yong Ju Lee at Lee's Karate in Huntsville, Alabama. In the mid-1980’s, after learning about the World Tang Soo Do Association, he contacted GrandMaster Shin for more information. After that, he joined the World Tang Soo Do Association and Tang Soo Do has been his core martial arts since that time but over the years he has also studied Hapkido, Aikijitsu, Aikido, and Shotokan.
GrandMaster Strong now operates the North Alabama Tang Soo Do studio in Florence, Alabama. All of his family members also train with his wife holding the rank of Cho Dan and his daughters Rita and Morgan, who are an E Dan and a Sah Dan, respectively.
GrandMaster Strong has held numerous positions in the World Tang Soo Do Association over the past few decades including being a former Regional Director, the former Chairperson of the Membership Committee, and the former chairperson of the Technical Advisory Committee for over 19 years. He also served as the Secretary General and a Board Member of the WTSDA.
GrandMaster Strong has traveled to many WTSDA regions around the world and has taught at seminars, clinics, and camps. He was a judging training mentor for many years. His thesis for 7th Degree Black Belt (Chil Dan) was published in a Book called Perspectives on the Tao in Tang Soo Do. Most notably, he has been the director of the Annual Master's Clinic in the United States for 22 years, having also hosted the event for 21 years.
GrandMaster Strong holds an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and both a masters degree and a doctoral degree in Geography. He conducted research for his graduate work in Southern India. He was a Professor of Geography at the University of North Alabama for 42 years. Now he is retired from active teaching with that status of Professor Emeritus. He is currently a coordinator of the Alabama Geographic Alliance which is a member of the National Geographic Society Network of Geographic Alliances. He held the following positions at the University of North Alabama: Chair of the Department of Geography for 29 years; Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs; Member of Board of Directors of the University of North Alabama Foundation. He was a Fellow of Grosvenor Center for Geography Education at Texas State University, and for two years, from 1991 to 1993, he was the Geographer-in-Residence in the geography education program at the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC where he received the Distinguished Geography Educator Award from the National Geographic Society.
In Summer 2014 at the WTSDA World Championship, GrandMaster Strong was promoted to Eighth Degree Black Belt (Pal Dan), making him the Assistant GrandMaster of the World Tang Soo Do Association. On April 1st, 2017, at the 28th Annual Masters’ Clinic, the Board of Directors voted to approve GrandMaster Strong as the President of the World Tang Soo Do Association. He began the presidency on May 15, 2017. In this position, he is responsible for numerous administrative duties for the Association and the WTSDA Foundation including General HeadQuarters Office Policy, studio/club approval, coordination of travel for the two GrandMasters, Promotions, Financial Reporting, Legal Issues, Board Meetings, and World Championships. He is also responsible for Diplomatic Issues, Organizing Publications, and Sanctioning WTSDA Events.
GrandMaster Strong became the GrandMaster in January 2020, and he was promoted to Ninth Degree Black Belt (Ku Dan) at the United States National Championship in October 2021.
Assistant GrandMasters (Boo Kwan Chang Nim)
- Gerald A. Stine
- Charles E. Vaughn
- William Allen Shapre
- Mujahid Khan
- Gerald A. Stine
- Charles E. Vaughn
- William Allen Shapre
- Mujahid Khan