[GLOBAL ECONOMIC TIMES] There is a person who has continued the life of Korean Taekwondo in Brazil, a passionate country in South America. This is Master Yojun Kim. Beyond simply passing on Taekwondo techniques, he contributed greatly to rooting Taekwondo in Brazilian society and promoting Korean culture.
Master Yojun Kim (9th Dan) is currently the third director of Liberdage Taekwondo, one of the oldest Taekwondo centers in Brazil, and has been leading the studio since 1980. In addition, since 2005, he has served as the president of the Sao Paulo State Taekwondo Association in Brazil, and since 2006, he has been serving as the Taekwondo competition coordinator for the Sao Paulo State Sports Department. In the past, he served as the head of the Brazilian Council of the Advisory Council for Democratic and Peaceful Unification for the 19th and 20th terms.
After immigrating to Brazil, Master Yojun Kim completed 24 credits at Arapahoe Community College in Denver, USA in 1994, and earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from UNIFMU University in Brazil in 2005. He holds a number of Taekwondo-related certifications, including the Kukkiwon Level 3 Taekwondo Instructor Certificate (1989) and the Brazilian Federal Council's Physical Education Instructor Certificate (2005). In particular, in 2021, his authority was recognized by acquiring the Kukkiwon-certified 9th Dan Taekwondo.
Master Kim Yo-jun has published many Taekwondo education materials, including the production of Brazil's first Taekwondo curriculum VHS (1998) and the Fore Edition Taekwondo CD-ROM (2000). He also contributed to the development of Brazilian Taekwondo literature by publishing “Taekwondo Competition Theory” and “Taekwondo Beginner’s Guide.” I am currently writing a guide for those with a bachelor's degree.
Master Kim Yo-jun engaged in various activities for the development of Brazilian Taekwondo. We held the Brazilian Taekwondo Festival to expand the base of Taekwondo, and created an environment for systematic learning of Taekwondo by publishing Taekwondo textbooks in Portuguese. In addition, he was active in the Brazilian Taekwondo Association and contributed to raising the status of Brazilian Taekwondo.
Master Kim Yo-jun also took the lead in promoting Korean culture through Taekwondo. He worked hard to introduce Korean history and culture to Brazilian people and to promote exchanges between Korea and Brazil. In particular, he served as chairman of the Brazil Council of the Advisory Council for Democratic and Peaceful Unification and contributed to further solidifying the friendly relationship between Korea and Brazil.
In the 1980s, Master Yojun Kim worked as a Brazilian Taekwondo featherweight athlete and won a national championship. He later led the Brazilian team in many international competitions as a coach and manager of the Brazilian national team. From 2009 to 2012, he served as the head coach of the Brazilian national team and led competitions in Turkey, Mexico, Azerbaijan, and Korea.
From 1978 to the present, Master Yojun Kim has appeared on major Brazilian TV stations and demonstrated Taekwondo more than 60 times. In 1989, he also appeared in a TV promotional commercial, and in 2010, a performance by the K-Tigers was aired on Globo Broadcasting Station to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of Brazilian Taekwondo.
Master Yojun Kim is more than just a Taekwondo instructor, he is a true cultural ambassador who promotes Korean culture and contributes to Brazilian society. Thanks to his efforts, Taekwondo has established itself in Brazil as a symbol representing Korean culture, not just a fighting sport. Master Yojun Kim's passion and dedication will continue to serve as an example to many people.
[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]
