Letter from Mr. Kohler to all Skyline TKD Students
February 7, 2002
Dearest Students:
There inevitably will come times in everyone's life when they are faced with difficult decisions that will affect their lives for years to come. I have had several of these times associated with my activities in Taekwon-Do over the years. One such time for me has come again.
Many changes are currently taking place in the structure and leadership of the International Taekwon-Do Federation of which I and our school are members. Master Choi Jung Hwa, son of General Choi Hong Hi the founder and father of Taekwon-Do, has announced his succession as the new President of the ITF. This announcement is not without controversy from the current ITF leadership and their followers. The controversy may continue for quite some time. In my opinion, the reasons behind Master Choi's choice to move in this direction and break with his father are honorable and well intentioned. He has been upfront and forthright in making this difficult personal decision to continue the teachings and preserve his father's legacy in this manner. Details of the events leading to his decision are available to you at www.itf-taekwondo.com.
Master Walt Lang, our Master Instructor, has publicly placed his support behind Master Choi Jung Hwa in the reformation of the ITF. Please visit www.YomChi.org if you would like to view his letter. Mr. Arnold, President of the Yom Chi Taekwon-Do Association, has pledged his loyalty and support to Master Lang and Master Choi. He and Master Lang are working diligently to guide our National Organization and assist the new ITF administration in reestablishing a unified ITF in the USA.
Mr. Arnold is my Instructor and has my complete loyalty and full support. I am in complete agreement with Master Lang's decision and support both him and Master Choi Jung Hwa. We are moving forward in a positive direction and working toward a very bright future for TKD in the USA. Together we will be successful. Ultimately, you will all need to choose your own path regarding these events. I hope I have instilled in all of you the desire to think for yourselves and make your own choices. I leave the final choice to each of you. No matter what path you choose to follow, you will always be welcome in our dojang.
As Master Lang has so eloquently stated, "Listen to your heart."
Sincerely,
Daniel Kohler, A-5-162 ITF/YCTA
Sr. Instructor, Skyline Taekwon-Do