Grand Master Soon Kil Jang
TaeKwonDo, Hap Ki Do, Ho Shin Sul, and Kum Do Instructor
• OVER 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN TAE KWON DO, HAP KI DO, HO SHIN SUL, AND KUM DO
• 8TH DAN BLACK BELT TAEKWONDO / 8TH DAN HAP KI DO
• INTERNATIONAL REFEREE
International Taekwondo Master Qualifying Course of Kukkiwon.
Taekwondo Judge Qualifying Course of the Kukkiwon.
Taekwondo Poom Dan Promotion Examiner Course by the Kukkiwon.
Qualified for the International Martial Arts Dan Certificate in accordance with the Examination provision of the World Kukmuwon.
• 1984 - RETIREE OF THE SOUTH KOREAN MILITARY SPECIAL FORCES
• 1985 - SOUTH KOREA POLICE (MARTIAL ARTS POLICE DIVISION)
• 1986 / 1988 - PART OF THE ASIAN AND SEOUL OLYMPIC GAMES ANTITERRORIST SQUAD COUNCIL
• FORMER COMMANDO INSTRUCTOR OF THE CHILEAN ARMY AND BOLIVIAN POLICE
• 1993 - WORLD TKD CHAMPIONSHIP OFFICIAL (MADISON SQUARE GARDEN)
• 1995 - MANAGER OF THE NATIONAL KOREAN SPORTS UNIFICATION EVENT; NJ STATE TAEKWONDO DIVISION HEAD COACH
• 1998 - KBS NEWS SPECIAL INTERVIEW
• 2009 - WMBC TELEVISION BROADCAST SPECIAL INTERVIEW
• 2008 - 2010 - BOARD MEMBER. BOARD OF DIRECTORS - TAEKWONDO ASSOCIATION OF GREATER NEW YORK.
• 2010 - VICE PRESIDENT - TAEKWONDO ASSOCIATION OF GREATER NEW YORK.
• 2011 – KNN NEWS - SPECIAL INTERVIEW
• 2011 – MK-TV : SPECIAL INTERVIEW
• 2012 – KUKKIWON AWARD OF RECOGNITION – WORLD TKD HEADQUARTERS PRESIDENT -“TAEKWONDO NIGHT”
• 2012 – “JERSEY CITY ‘LEGENDS’ - AWARD”- ‘EVERYTHING JERSEY CITY FESTIVAL’
• 2013 – MAYOR OF RIDGEFIELD –CITATION
• 2013 – TKC TV - GM SPECIAL INTERVIEW
• 2014- KBS America TV Special Interview on Grandmaster Jang
• 2014- “Grandmaster Jang Taekwondo Day” on The Korean New York Daily
• 2014- “Grandmaster Jang Taekwondo Day” on TKD NEWS
• 2014- KoaLife Magazine 6 page spread of Grandmaster Jang
• 2014- Jersey City City Hall proclaims “Jang Star Taekwondo Day/GrandMaster Jang Taekwondo Day”- Jang Star TKD School students demonstrate infront of Jersey City City Hall.
• 2014- Grandmaster Jang Chairman of Taekwondo Association of The Greater New York
• 2015- Grandmaster Jang Chairman of Taekwondo Association of The Greater New York
2016 - Grandmaster Jang TV Interview with “KBN” Network
2016- Grandmaster Jang Interview on Radio AM1660
2016- Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “The Korean Times”
2016- Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “The Korea Daily"
2016- Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “NY Ilbo”
2018- Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “The Korea Daily"
2018- Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “NY Ilbo”
2018- Grandmaster Jang received Certificate of Appreciation from Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop for National Night Out Demonstration
2018-Grandmaster Jang & Master Heesoo Interview on Radio AM1660
2018-Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “The Korea Times” Featured 2 times
2018- Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “The Korean New York Daily" Featured 3 times
2018- Grandmaster Jang & Master Heesoo TV interview with KBN
2018- United States Senator- Letter of Commendation
2018- Hudson County Clerk- Letter of Commendation
2018- Hudson County Freeholder- Letter of Commendation
2018- Jersey City Ward E Councilman - Letter of Commendation
2018- Jersey City Mayor- Letter of Commendation
2018- Bergen County Executive- Letter of Commendation
2018- Bergen County Sheriff- Letter of Commendation
2018- Bergen County Clerk- Certificate of Recognition
2018- Mayor of Ridgefield- Letter of Commendation
2018- Wayne Councilman- Letter of Commendation
2021- Grandmaster Jang receives the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the White House in Washington.
2021- Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “The Korea Times.”
2021- Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “NY Ilbo.”
2021- Grandmaster Jang Radio Interview on Radio AM1660
2021- Grandmaster Jang receives Proclamation from Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City.
2023- Grandmaster Jang appears on KBN TV for a special New Years message.
2023- Grandmaster Jang and Master Heesoo Radio Interview on Radio AM1660
2023- Grandmaster Jang and Master Heesoo TV Interview on KBN Network.
2023- Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “The Korea Times.”
2023- Grandmaster Jang Newspaper Interview “NY Ilbo.”
2023- Grandmaster Jang receives Proclamation from Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City.
2024- Grandmaster Jang appears on KBN TV for a special New Years message.
Awards, Events, & School History
2023- Grandmaster Jang presents “Honorary Black Belt Ceremony” for Jersey City Mayor, Mayor Steven Fulop.
2023- Jang Star Taekwondo School celebrates its 33rd Anniversary and holds a special celebration event and martial arts demonstration at Felician University with 2,000 students, families, guests and special VIP guests in attendance.
2023- 22 students receive their 1st, 2nd and 4th Degree Black Belts.
2022- 24 students receive their 1st, 2nd and 3rd Degree Black Belts.
2022- Jang Star Taekwondo School celebrates it's 32nd Anniversary.
2021- Jang Star Taekwondo School, Grandmaster Jang and Master Heesoo receives Proclamation from Mayor Steven Fulop from Jersey City.
2021- Jang Star Taekwondo School, Grandmaster Jang and Master Heesoo receives Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Steven Fulop from Jersey City.
2021- Jang Star Taekwondo School receives Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City.
2021- Jang Star Taekwondo School receives Citation from Councilman Yousef Saleh Ward D from Jersey City.
2021- Jang Star Taekwondo School celebrates it's 31st Anniversary.
2021- 22 students have achieved their goals in becoming black belts. - Jang Star Headquarters- Black Belt Test/ Ceremony- Jersey City, Riverdale Branch and Union City Branch.
2020- Jang Star Taekwondo School celebrates it's 30th Anniversary.
2020- 23 students have achieved their goals in becoming black belts. - Jang Star Headquarters- Black Belt Test/ Ceremony- Jersey City, Riverdale Branch and Union City Branch.
2019- 20 students have achieved their goals in becoming black belts. - Jang Star Headquarters- Black Belt Test/ Ceremony- Jersey City and Riverdale Branch.
2018- Jang Star Taekwondo School celebrates it's 28th Anniversary and Supports the Fight Against Cancer by holding it's grand event in September at Felician University with about 2,000 guests.
2018- United States Senator- Letter of Commendation
2018- Hudson County Clerk- Letter of Commendation
2018- Hudson County Freeholder- Letter of Commendation
2018- Jersey City Ward E Councilman - Letter of Commendation
2018- Jersey City Mayor- Letter of Commendation
2018- Bergen County Executive- Letter of Commendation
2018- Bergen County Sheriff- Letter of Commendation
2018- Bergen County Clerk- Certificate of Recognition
2018- Mayor of Ridgefield- Letter of Commendation
2018- Wayne Councilman- Letter of Commendation
2018- Grandmaster Jang & Master Heesoo TV interview with KBN.
2018-Grandmaster Jang & Master Heesoo Interview on Radio AM1660.
2018- Jang Star Taekwondo School demonstrates for the the National Night Out Event held in Persian Field Park supporting Jersey City police officers and Jersey City community
2018- 2 Masters receive their 5th Dan Black Belt: Master Luis Flores and Master Edward Licerio.
2018- 29 students have achieved their goals in becoming black belts. - Jang Star Headquarters- Black Belt Test/ Ceremony- Jersey City, Union City and Riverdale Branch.
2017- 26 students have achieved their goals in becoming black belts. - Jang Star Headquarters- Black Belt Test/ Ceremony- Jersey City and Riverdale Branch.
2017- Jang Star Taekwondo School celebrates its 27th Anniversary.
2016- Jang Star Taekwondo School celebrates it's 26th Anniversary & Supports the Fight Against Cancer and Homeless Shelter. The event was located in Felician University with 2,000 guests in attendance.
2016- 60 students have achieved their goals in becoming black belts – Jang Star Headquarters – TriBranch Black Belt Test/Ceremony – Jersey City, Riverdale & Ridgefield, NJ Branches.
2016- Jang Star Taekwondo School Receives Proclamation Award Celebrating 26th Anniversary & Supporting The Fight Against Cancer From Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III
2016- Jang Star Taekwondo School Receives Proclamation Award Celebrating 26th Anniversary & Supporting The Fight Against Cancer From Bergen County Clerk John S. Hogan
2016- Jang Star Taekwondo School Receives Proclamation Award Celebrating 26th Anniversary & Supporting The Fight Against Cancer From Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino
2016- Jang Star Taekwondo School Receives Proclamation Award Celebrating 26th Anniversary & Supporting The Fight Against Cancer From Mayor of Ridgefield Anthony R. Suarez
2015- 39 Black Belt Promotion Test- 1 Master- 2 Instructors – Jang Star Headquarters – TriBranch Black Belt Test/Ceremony – Jersey City, Riverdale & Ridgefield, NJ Branches
2015- Asian Culture Festival Demonstration- Jersey City, Riverdale & Union City Dojang
2015- Jang Star’s Demonstration Team demonstrates for Buckingham Nursing Home
2015- 25th Silver Anniversary Demonstration- Ukrainian Community Center
2014- Jang Star SWAT Team special guests for special event in Brooklyn, NY.
2014- 24th Anniversary- All 4 branches of Jang Star TKD School Martial Arts Expo- 2,000 people attending
2014- Jang Star’s Demonstration Team demonstrates for Buckingham Nursing Home
2012 – 22nd Anniversary “Fight Against Cancer” Martial Arts Expo – Felician College – Lodi, NJ
2012 – 23 1st Dan Black Belts & 2 2nd Dan Black Belts – Jang Star Headquarters – Tri-Branch Black Belt Test/Ceremony – Jersey City, Riverdale & Ridgefield, NJ Branches
2012 – St. Francis Church Festival Demo - Broadway/Manhattan, NY
2012 – Demonstration –“Everything Jersey City Festival”
2012 – 4 Masters Receive Award of Recognition – Kukkiwon/WTF – “Taekwondo Night”
2012 – 1 Master & 2 Instructors – Award of Recognition – Taekwondo Association of Greater New York
2011 – Jang Star Martial Arts Show – Ukrainian Community Center
2011 – ‘Everything Jersey City’ Festival – Jang Star Demonstration
2011 – Master Ceremony – 3 Jang Star Taekwondo Student-Masters: Master Robert Kim, Master Edward Licerio & Master Richard Bobiles
2010 – 1st Jang Star ‘Master Ceremony’: 1st Student-Masters of Jang Star Taekwondo School: Master Luis Flores & Master David Farag
2010 - State of New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg - Letter of Commendation
2010 - City of New York Governor David Paterson - Letter of Commendation
2010 - City of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg - Letter of Commendation
2010 - Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise - Letter of Commendation
2010 - South Hackensack Police Chief Michael Frew - Award of Recognition
2010 - Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney - Award of Appreciation
2010 - Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire - Award of Excellence & Letter of Commendation
2010 - Christ Hospital - Award of Appreciation
2010 - Holy Name Medical Center President Michael Maron - Letter of Commendation
2010 - Holy Name Medical Center - Award of Recognition
2010 - "Distinguished Martial Arts School Award" - University of Bridgeport
2010 - "Jang Star 20th Anniversary & Fight Against Cancer" - Felecian College - Lodi, NJ
2010 - "Everything Jersey City Festival"
2010 - Cliffside Park Elementary Presentation & Demonstration
2010 - KRB Radio - Special Interview
2010 - Master Ceremony - Grandmaster Jang presents 1st Time Master Degree to Master David Farag & Master Luis Flores
2009 - East Coast Demonstration Team Competition - Participant and Award Winner
2009 - Demonstration & Citation received from Jersey City Mayor and Police Department. "National Night Out"
2009 - "Everything Jersey City Festival" Demonstration, Jersey City, NJ
2009 - Fort Hamilton Army Base - Award of Appreciation
2009 - Award - President of Taekwondo Association of Greater New York
2009 - Seminar - University of Bridgeport
2009 - Demonstration & Interview - WMBC Television Program
2008 - Award from Hap Ki Do Federation President
2008 - Citation from Taekwondo Ji Do Kwan President
2008 - Asian Cultural Event and Award hosted by the FBI
2008 - "Togetherness" Banquet and Celebration at the Sheraton Suites
2008 - Citation from the World Tae Kwon Do Federation
2008 - Demonstration and Award. Hosted by the Liberty Academy Charter School
2008 - Demonstration and Awards. 4th Taekwondo Championships hosted by The taekwondo Association of Greater New York
2008 - Demonstration & Citation received from Jersey City Mayor and Police Department. "National Night Out"
2008 - "Everything Jersey City Festival" Demonstration, Jersey City, NJ
2008 - Letter of Commendation from Kukkiwon World Taekwondo headquarter
2007 - "Dr. Seuss Day" reading at PS #8 (Kindergarten)
2007 - "Father's Day Celebration" Demonstration. Ukrainian Community Center Jersey City, NJ (500 Spectators)
2007 - American Conference on Diversity Humanitarians Award
2006 - "Father's Day Celebration" Demonstration. Pershing Field Ice Rink, Jersey City, NJ (600 Spectators)
2006 - Corporate Seal Award City of Jersey City Office of Councilperson Steven Fulop
2006 - Korean Thanksgiving Festival Concert NYC (Hosting 200,000 guests)
2005 to 2009 - Annual Jersey City Police Association Neighborhood "Awareness" Outing Event
2005 - Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Observance Award
2005 - Proclamation of Appreciation from Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy
2005 - "South Korean Independence" Demonstration. Prime Suites Hotel & Resort, Secaucus, NJ (1,200 Spectators)
2005 - "South Korean Independence" Invitation & Demonstration XPL Demo Team
2005 - Citation from the Martial Arts Institute of the University of Bridgeport Connecticut
2004 - Certificate of Appreciation From Mayor L. Harvey Smith 'National Night Out"
2004 - "Independence Day Celebration" Demonstration. Prime Suites Hotel & Resort, Secaucus, NJ (600 Spectators)
2003 - "Centennial Celebration" 100 Years of Korean Immigration Celebration - Ukrainian Community Center, J.C. NJ
2003 - "Centennial Celebration" - Letter of Recognition - Governor James E. McGreevey
2003 - "Centennial Celebration" - Letter of Recognition - Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham
2003 - "Centennial Celebration" - Letter of Recognition - Korean Cultural Service in NY - Director Yangwoo Park
2003 - "Centennial Celebration" 100 Years of Korean Immigration Korean War Veterans Award
2003 - PS #5 Middle School Award of Appreciation
2003 - P.S. #5 Middle School After School Program
2002 - Grandmaster Jang and Special Demo Team #1 Demonstration. Jersey City, NJ
2001 - Jersey City Public Library Award
2000 - "Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters News". Article
2000 - "Slice of Heaven: Korean Festival" Pershing Field Park, Jersey City, NJ (1,500 Spectators)
2000 - Live CBS Channel 2 News coverage
1999/2007 - World Taekwondo Newspaper "The TaeKwonDo News"
1999 - "Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters News". Article
1999 - Certificate of Appreciation for Black History from the St. Francis Hospital and Saint Francis School of Nursing
1999 - Citation from Taekwondo Ji Do Kwan President.
1999 - KTV Radio Seoul Award of Recognition
1998 - Seoul, Korea. Gangsu Count. Award of High Prestige
1998 - Korean Cultural Parade on Broadway - Manhattan NYC
1998 - Certificate of Appreciation from the Hudson County Sheriff's Office
1998 - Distinguished Services Award from the President of the World Taekwondo Federation Award
1998 - 1999 - St. Anne's Church Certificate of Appreciation
1998 - World Taekwondo Newspaper. "Taekwondo Times" Article
1998 - "Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters News". Article
1997 - "Slice of Heaven: Korean Festival" Pershing Field Park, Jersey City, NJ (3,000 Spectators)
1997 - Certificate of Appreciation from The Korean National Tae Kwon Do Demonstration Team
1997 - Certificate of Appreciation from NJ Correctional Facility Warden Ralph Green
1997 - Certificate of Appreciation from the NJ International Bulk Mail Center
1997 - Award of Appreciation from the Policeman's Benevolent Association
1997 - The Korean American Press Club Award
1997 - Bergen County Police Department Award of Recognition
1996 - Certification of Appreciation from the Office of the Mayor
1996 - Letter of Commendation from Kukkiwon President
1996 - South Korean Demonstration Team Korean Eagles Invitation and Demonstration; Jersey City, NJ
1995 - 1996 Letter of Commendation from The World Tae Kwon Do Association President
1994 - Certificate of Achievement and Recognition from the Stephen's Institute of Technology
1994 - Diploma of Outstanding Achievement from Mayor Jerome Petti
1993 - "Autumn Festival" Demonstration; Bowers St., Jersey City, NJ
1993 - Citation from Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler
1993 - Tournament Citation from Mayor Anthony E. Russo of Union New Jersey
1993 - US Open Taekwondo Championships
1992 - Demonstration Team #1 and Grandmaster Jang; Demonstration. Jersey City, NJ
1991- Grandmaster Jang TEACHES MARTIAL ARTS
1990 - Grandmaster Jang TEACHES MARTIAL ARTS
1987/90 - Grandmaster Jang teaches Taekwondo in South America
Media:
CBS Channel 2 News
KBS News
MTV-K
The Jersey Journal
The Korea Times
The Korean Daily News
New Lifestyle Magazine
KTV-17
Radio Seoul 1660
Brother Latino Magazine
Cambio Newspaper
El Especialito Newspaper
El Universal Newspaper
MKTV-76
Channel 20
Foundations:
United States Army Garrison - Fort Hamilton
The Martial Arts Institute of the University of Bridgeport Connecticut
Jersey City Soccer Association
Washington Park Little League Association
American Conference on Diversity
References:
Mayor Bret Schundler
Mayor Anthony E. Russo
Mayor Jerome Petti
Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham
Mayor L. Harvey Smith
Mayor Rudy Guliani
Mayor Jerramiah Healy
Governor George Pataki
Governor James E. McGreevey
The Bergen County Police Dept.
The Hudson County Sheriff's Dept.
The Jersey City Police Dept.