What is Kukkiwon Certification?
Kukkiwon is the the world HQ for Dan/Poom certification and it is
situated in Seoul Korea, a Kukkiwon certificate is widely regarded
as the most prestigious of all the black belt certificates. The
World Taekwondo Federation which is the international governing
body for Taekwondo require that all those who wish to compete at
international level be Kukkiwon certified. Those that do not have
Kukkiwon certification may also find that they might not be able
to qualify in official courses such as International Referee etc.
Who can authorise Kukkiwon certification?
Only a 4th Dan or above who is Kukkiwon certified can apply for a
Kukkiwon certificate on behalf of those successfully passing their
relevant grade. If you require Kukkiwon certification then check
with your Master first as you will have to take your test under a
certified Kukkiwon Master.
Can a Kukkiwon Master apply for foreign applicants?
No, a Kukkiwon examiner can only apply for persons in their own
country and who have been resident there for more than 6 months,
Kukkiwon will require proof of this should the student be a
foreign national.
How Much does Kukkiwon certification cost?
Kukkiwon Dan/Poom Promotion Test Fees
1st Dan/Poom $70
2nd Dan/Poom $90
3rd Dan/Poom $120
4th Dan/Poom $150
5th Dan $300
6th Dan $350
7th Dan $450
Fees are in US Dollars. There are no extra costs required by
Kukkiwon, no carriage charges, no administration charges, only the
fee you see above. Any other fees required when you test are those
asked for by the examiner or the association, do not blame
Kukkiwon for fees you believe to be extortionate. Although local
administrative fees may be added.
What level of certificate can I seek?
If you claim to be a 3rd Dan but have no Kukkiwon certificate then
you can only apply for 1st Dan Kukkiwon, you would then have to
wait another year before you could seek 2nd Dan and a further 2
years before you sought 3rd Dan certification. You cannot jump
grades.
How long does it take to get a Kukkiwon certificate?
It should not take more than 3 months from the time of application
to the time of receipt, I have received them in under 8 weeks. If
you have waited a very long time then speak to your master, in my
experience Kukkiwon has always sent a receipt for the monies paid
prior to the arrival of the certificate.
How can I check if my Kukkiwon has been applied for?
International Division
Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters)
635 Yuksam-dong, Gangnam-gu,
Seoul, Korea 135-908
tel: 82 2 563 3339
fax: 82 2 552 3025
e-mail: kukkiwon_wth@yahoo.com
kukkiwon@kukkiwon.or.kr
What is the value of my Dojang/school certificate?
Your certificate only has value in your school or association and
not at full international level, if you change schools or
associations it may be deemed worthless and your grade not
recognised irrespective of your ability.
Why do I need Kukkiwon?
Those who claim to practice or teach the Kukki/WTF style should
really seek Kukkiwon certification so that a common set of
standards and criteria be adhered to. Because Martial Arts are not
regulated in the UK or in many other countries there can be abuse
and money making rackets by those with little or no real
qualifications. This does not guarantee that there are not
unscrupulous Kukkiwon certified people but it does help to ensure
that your instructor/Master has complied to a certain set of
criteria and been through the correct channels to attain their
rank.
Why do some resist Kukkiwon recognition?
Because many wish to follow a route that makes them more in
control and profitable where they can change techniques and
policies as they deem fit, they want to do the telling and not be
told. Many argue that Kukkiwon certification is a money spinner
for Korea and WTF without realising that the Kukkiwon and WTF are
in fact 2 different entities. Yes Kukkiwon certification generates
a lot of revenue but in Korea they have spend enormous time, money
and effort in the continual progress and development of Taekwondo
into a martial art and full Olympic sport.
Sport Vs Art
There is continual suggestion that WTF Taekwondo has become little
more than a sport since its inclusion in the Olympics. Yes
Taekwondo is a modern world sport but it is also compulsory for
all Korean military personnel as a form of self defence, fitness
and sport. If it had no value as a means of self defence or
Martial content then why is it compulsory, don't forget Martial
means 'military'. WTF Taekwondo is an art and sport which has been
developed for modern times and modern people which still retains
some of the older discipline and cultural aspects, this is why it
is the largest practice Martial Art in the world. Taekwondo
competition is very formal where judges and referees are required
to comply with a dress code also fighters and their coaches are
subject to a code of conduct.
Top fighters
Top fighters will spend much of their time just fighting and leave
most of the more traditional aspects behind, this can be seen as
specialising, whilst others may choose to specialise in Poomse
(forms) and others may choose a non competitive route and study a
less specialised more general avenue which covers all aspects but
is less subject intensive.
Kukkiwon regulations
Poom/Dan Minimum Time
1st Poom N A N A Less than 15 Years Old
1st to 2nd Pom 1 year N A Less than 15 Years Old
2nd to 3rd Poom 2 years N A Less than 15 Years Old
3rd to 4th Poom 3 years N A Less than 18 Years Old
1st Dan N A 15 years and above N A
1st to 2nd Dan 1 year 16 years and above 15 years and above
2nd to 3rd Dan 2 years 18 years and above 15 years and above
3rd to 4th Dan 3 years 21 years and above 18 years and above
4th to 5th Dan 4 years 25 years and above 22 years and above
5th to 6th Dan 5 years 30 years and above 30 years and above
6th to 7th Dan 6 years 36 years and above 36 years and above
7th to 8th Dan 8 years 44 years and above 44 years and above
8th to 9th Dan 9 years 53 years and above 53 years and above
9th to 10th Dan N A 60 years and above 60 years and above
1st Dan (Poom) Taegeuk 1st -
7th Jang 1 appointed Taegeuk 8
2nd Dan (Poom) Taegeuk 1st - 8th Jang 1 appointed Koryo
3rd Dan(Poom) Taegeuk 1st - 8th Jang , Koryo 1 appointed Keumkang
4th Dan(Poom) Taegeuk 1st - 8th Jang , Koryo, Keumkang 1 appointed
Taebaek
5th Dan Taegeuk 1st - 8th Jang , Koryo, Keumkang, Taebaek 1
appointed Pyongwon
6th Dan Taebaek, Pyongwon, Sipjin 1 appointed Jitae
7th Dan Pyongwon, Sipjin, Jitae 1 appointed Cheonkwon
8th Dan Sipjin, Jitae, Cheonkwon 1 appointed Hansoo
9th Dan Jitae, Cheonkwon, Hansoo 1 appointed Illyo
10th Dan Decided by the Judgement of Technical Council
Kukkiwon promotion regulations
Article 19 : Sanctions
If any of the following violations are committed, the violator
shall be sanctioned by expulsion, deprivation of Dan certificates
and/or suspension of memberships.
1) Alteration or disqualification of Dan certificates
2) Dan promotion testing executed by unauthorized persons
3) Issuing Poom/Dan certificates by the name of instructors or
Member National Associations themselves
Article 20 : Gup Promotion Test
The instructor who holds 4th Dan or higher Dan has a right to test
the Gup promotion and issue the Gup certificates by his/her name
for his/her students. |
