Dear friends:
On behalf of the of the Korea/USA Simmudo Association and Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. we recently brought a group of 34 people to Shiheung, S. Korea for a cultural and martial arts tour. Five martial artists from England and Spain to join us. Please note the following schedule and events of this exciting tour.
Sincerely,
Fred Gommels - TOUR HOST
SHIHEUNG, SOUTH KOREA Oct. 14-23, 2004
15th Friday - Arrival 4:45 pm
Welcome dinner at Mr. Choi's restaurant.
16th Saturday
Shiheung Taekwondo Tournament - Observe
Tae Sung LCD Computer Co. tour and lunch with the company president - Lee, Man Keun
Shiheung Police Dept. tour and dinner
17th Sunday
Shiheung Mayor's Flag Tournament - Our MAFCI Blue Fire Team competed and came home with 2 trophies and several individual and team medals.
This is an annual event in Shiheung often with over 1,000 competitors from the more than 100 martial arts schools in the Shiheung area. Students compete in forms, self-defense, breaking techniques, martial arts gymnastics.
Shiheung Martial Arts Masters sponsored dinner
18th Monday
Sorak San Mountain (All day tour) famous for lush green valleys, granite mountain peeks, glorious water falls, ornate temples, natural hot springs, and gorgeous fall foliage. Naksan Sah Temple tour located just east of Sorak San near the East Sea. Naksan Sah is near Naksan Beach famous for its clear water.
19th Tuesday
Kukkiwon the world headquarters for Korea's national sport of Taekwondo.
Martial arts stores shopping
King Yi Sejong's ancient palace a restoration of a palace typical of Korea long ago. Ornate architecture, beautiful gardens, gold leafed shrines. This king was the creator of the Korean Hangul alphabet.
20th Wednesday
Ihm Jin Gak DMZ & Freedom Bridge located at Paju, northwest of Seoul, harbors the sorrows of those who lost their hometown in the Korean War. Imjingak contains exhibits about North Korean society, politics, and military. We could view North Korea from several locations. We saw the propaganda towns giving a false view of a prosperous North Korea. We also saw people working in their rice fields with ox and cart.
Shiheung Sports Association sponsored dinner
21st Thursday
Touring and shopping in the outdoor markets of Shiheung
Martial Arts Training morning and afternoon in Taekwondo, Hoshinsul, and Military combat staff
Mayor's Dinner
Dance party at restaurant of Han Young Soo member of Shiheung Sports & Taekwondo Association.
22nd Friday
Touring and shopping in the outdoor markets of Shiheung
Taekwondo training; Hoshinsul training
Farewell dinner at Mr. Choi's restuarant
MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING PROVIDED BY:
Masters of Hapkido, Taekwondo, Kick Boxing, Simmudo, and Military combat:
Kim Joung Song, Kim Hwan Won, Park Ki Shik, and Moon Do Jin.
PRIMARY TOUR HOST:
GrandMaster Song Pan Gon
- President of the World Simmudo Associaition
- President of the Shiheung Taekwondo Assosiation
- Trainer of Masters: Kim Joung Song, Kim Hwan Won, Park Ki Shik
- Liaison for the Shiheung/Rochester City Partnership
ASSISTING TOUR HOSTS:
Kim Seung Shik:
Administrator Korea Simmudo Association
Lee Gui Hun:
Administrator Shiheung Sports Association
Choi Dong Jong:
President Shiheuing Sports Association
Other hosts represented the:
- Shiheung Sports Association
- Shiheung Taekwondo Association
- Shiheung Government Center
- Shiheung Tug of War Association
KOREAN/ENGLISH TRANSLATORS
Kyong Ja Lenz, Han Ki Nam, Fred Gommels
APPOINTMENTS
Kirby Strissel was appointed to the position of Administrator of the Korea/USA Simmudo Association by GrandMaster Song Pan Gon.
HONORS PRESENTED:
For Promotion of Korean Martial Arts
Gommels, Fredrick J.
Strissel, Kirby L.
St. Cyrien, Adrian
Moore, Francis L.
Day, Jeffrey W.
Juenger, Jonathan R.
Promotion of Rochester/Shiheung City Partnership
Fred Gommels
Jim Kachmarzinski
For Military Service to Korea
Noah Rodeheffer
Additional remarks
Each member of this tour agrees that the hospitality was generous, the Shiheung people friendly, the cultural tours intriguing, the food excellent, and the martial arts training was superb.