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Lee's Taekwondo began in 1954 when as a young boy Choon Bong Lee (9th Dan) first began learning the art now known as Taekwondo. In 1964 Master Lee began teaching Taekwondo to US Army Troops stationed in Korea during his years in Korean national military service. With a passion for the art and the spirit of an entrepreneur, Master Lee established his Academy in 1967. After graduating from Han Yang University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he began a career as an English language teacher at Nam Gang High School. As well as teaching Taekwondo to students he also officially taught the South Seoul Police at their headquarters from 1970 to 1973.
His high school teaching days were short-lived and his student following would miss the great teacher and his passion for his art when they farewelled their Instructor in 1973. Master Lee was headed for the great Southern Land of Australia. There, he founded the Australian Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo family, and became one of the many Korean Masters who were commissioned by the newly formed World Taekwondo Federation to be ambassadors to the world, teaching the art of Taekwondo to all who would learn.
Adelaide became the home of Lee's Taekwondo Academy in Australia in 1973. Over the years Master Lee has taught Taekwondo to many South Australians. He also taught in numerous High Schools and for several years since 1996 he trained the SA Police Academy cadets.
Lee's has always had a close connection with the development of the competitive sports side of Taekwondo, Master Lee having been Australian team coach at the 1st Asian Championships (Korea 1974), 2nd World Championships (Korea 1975) 3rd World Championships (United States 1977) and 4th World Championships (Germany 1979), and his son Laurence (5th Dan) having coached for the Kiribati National Team in 2003 for the 12th South Pacific Games.
Grand Master Lee achieved the top ranking 9th Dan Black Belt in 1993. He holds International Instructor and International Referee qualifications and has overseen the development of Taekwondo as President of Taekwondo Australia (SA) and member of the Technical Board of Taekwondo Australia, and remains the President of the Australian Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo Association.
Grand Master continues to enjoy training and teaches regularly at the Adelaide and Parafield Gardens Academies. He enjoys golf, believes in hard work and a positive attitude to life and is a dedicated elder at his church. Both he and his son Laurence teach privately and in classes and now head an "International" Academy with branches in Kiribati in addition to the dedicated suburban branches located around South Australia and Adelaide. Visit us soon and find out why Lee's has remained a local identity for over 30 years in Adelaide. Congratulations to all involved or associated with the Lee's Taekwondo Academy legacy over the past 30 years. We look forward to the many decades of development ahead.
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