"I had a look at your webpage and I was wondering if you could explain the difference between the International Haidong Kumdo Federation and the Korean Haidong Kumdo Association? Is one the International federation and the other the representative national organization ?"
-Actually, I was not aware of the relationship between the IHF and the KHA until I received my Dan Jung. I received one from the IHF and one from the KHA. So to answer your question, "Yes, IHF is the international and KHA is the national (Korea)".
"I have seen Haedong Gumdo, and it looks nothing like Iaido, more like Chinese Tai chi/Wushu Saber done with a sword that looks somewhat like a Japanese style Katana. I have know idea what its origins are."
-Haidong Kumdo origins are Korean.
"Haedong Gumdo armour and fighting style looks nothing like Kendo. Certianly not traditional kendo."
-There are different areas of study under Haidong Kumdo, including full armour sparring.
"I have seen no paired partner practices that look anything like traditional Japanese kenjutsu."
-We do paired partner practices with both the mok kum (wood sword) and the kyok kum (bamboo sword).
"That begin said, there is the KOREA KUMDO ASSOCIATION which is a member of the International Kendo Federation."
-I do not know if this is the same as the KHA
I am back in the US now. I still practice Haidong Kumdo, now at the AAA US Taekwondo College. It is World Haidong Gumdo Federation / USA Haidong Gumdo Association. There are some slight differences, but nothing major.
:asian:
