Upcoming 2007 USA Goodwill Tour

Well, an interesting thing happened while I was standing around at the Jung's Tae Kwon Do tournament. As all of you may or may not know the North Korean Tae Kwon Do demonstration team is on the 1st ever 2007 USA Goodwill Tour performing at 5 separate venues in the United States in October. One in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Louisville, KY and one in Atlanta, GA. This should be a really great opportunity to see some outstanding Tae Kwon Do. A video of them is hosted at the TaeKwonDo Times Magazine web site in their videos section.

Now I know that there have been some "issues" with North Korea of late, and I know that they are politically not our "friends" and that Kim Jong Il is not "Ok", but I intend to go see the demo team and have a good time. By the way Kim Jong Il won't be there.

Anyway, this is a cultural exchange and not a political event. Grand Master Jung says that it is about "Tae Kwon Do people". "We are all Tae Kwon Do people and are the same in our hearts." he says. I believe this is true. I don't know if there will ever be peace anywhere, but not to consider doing everything to work toward that goal would be wrong. I just think it is the right thing to do.

So back to me standing there with my Instructor Mr. Garrett, we are talking about something when Master Wells comes up and says "Are you planning to go to the demo on October 10th?" and I say "Well sir we have been discussing it but haven't decided yet". He says "Let me make your decision a little easier, I want your family to perform Chun-gi at the demonstration." I said "Yes sir!", we bowed and he returned to what he was doing for the tournament. Well, that was exciting, and I am honored that he picked my family to perform at this historic event. As things go sometimes changes are made last minute and we will see if there is time for us to perform. Hopefully there is time.

We need to work on Chun-gi. :-)