Grand Master Ri Kon Ko immigrated to the United States from South Korea at the age of 28. During his life in Asia, he received a bachelor’s degree in adapted physical education from the Korea Yudo Martial Arts University. Drafted into the Korean Army, he became the 1969 Korean Army Tae Kwon Do champion and then a Tae Kwon Do instructor.
In 1970, he served in Vietnam with the Korean Army White Horse Division. After completing his tour in Vietnam, he went back to Korea and continued to improve his marital arts skills. He became a demonstrator for the World Tae Kwon Do Federation in 1972 and captain of Yudo Martial Arts University demonstration team in 1973. Although his life in Asia was fulfilling, his dream was to come to the United States and teach martial arts.
In 1976, his dream became reality. Ko arrived in Leavenworth with not much money and a list of problems. He spoke very little English and did not understand Western culture. He struggled to find resources to open a martial arts studio. There was not enough money for a martial arts studio and an apartment, so he lived in his studio. Working very hard, he got his first opportunity when he became a martial arts instructor for the U.S. Army General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth.
In 1979, he founded Ko’s Black Belt Academy in Independence, MO. Master Ko believed he could change the community he lived in by teaching his Eastern culture’s values. These values consisted of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and positive attitude. He also taught patriotism, obedience and respect to parents and elders, loyalty to friends, courage, and respect for living things.