Grandmaster Song Ki Pak – 9th Degree Black Belt
Born in Dae Gu City, South Korea, Grandmaster Song Ki Pak started training at the age of 12 under the instruction of Cha Jay Won (a second generation traditional instructor) in the Moo Duk Kwan system. He achieved Black Belt in Moo Duk Kwan in 1951 from Master Cha. Master Cha is the only one left alive today. Grandmaster Pak is considered a third generation Tang Soo Do master. This martial art genealogy, courtesy of the noted martial art historian Dr. He-Young Kimm from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was verified by Grandmaster Pak after discussion and clarification.
Grandmaster Pak taught traditional Tang Soo Do in Korea until 1961. He is noted for teaching soldiers of the US Government in 1961 for the 7th infantry Military Police Company and the CIA near Tong Du Chon city, South Korea. In 1969, Pak moved his school onto the army base and taught martial arts to the 5th Air Force division, 6170 combat support squadron.
In 1973, Pak moved to Jacksonville, FL via Hawaii and then to Louisville, KY. In 1974, he moved to Lafayette, Indiana where he taught nationally recognized and noted senior students Pat Fraser, Gary Cohen, and Dave Richel.
Grandmaster Pak moved back to Jacksonville, FL in 1975 and opened a school in an old carpet store on Blanding Blvd. Master Curtis Hammond and Master Mike Arrington were of the first students at that location. Pak built his own school with the help of students and moved to his new location in November of 1978. Pak built his second and current facility in October of 1985 on Blanding Blvd and is billed as one of the largest Tang Soo Do schools in the world.