[column] A Tribute to the Late President Park Soo-nam, a Pillar of the World Taekwondo Community

The pillar of the world Taekwondo community, our President Park Soo-nam, has now become a great star that illuminates the world.

Even if we call out with all our might to see him, he has left us, with no answer, and walked alone to the other world, leaving behind only his great legacy. The emptiness left by his departure feels overwhelmingly vast.

"President! I hope you stay healthy, but I can only worry from afar," I said. To which he replied, "I have decided to undergo surgery next Tuesday (April 23rd). I hope everyone works together to successfully handle domestic events, including the publication ceremony for the Meridian Poomsae book." Was this why he said in the preface of the Meridian Poomsae book, "I entrust this unfinished task to you"?

After going under the knife, how could you leave us without a warning, without a final word of farewell?I was preparing to visit you in Germany, hoping and praying for your recovery, but I couldn't see you one last time. My heart is torn to pieces because I couldn't bid you farewell on your final journey.

Though our beloved has left alone, his extraordinary love for Taekwondo over 60 years, along with his philosophy of life, will continue in the healing and health industries, and in projects using Taekwondo for children's education. These will forever persist on the footprints you have left behind.

We have remembered and will continue to remember your great and noble achievements.

President Park was immensely proud to be the first Korean to receive the German Iron Cross, following the renowned composer Yoon Yi-sang, who composed our national anthem, and the first person to do so with Korean nationality.

We vividly remember that the world's first Taekwondo magazine, launched in 1973 and still being published today, reflects your special love and dedication to Taekwondo.

In recognition of your significant contribution to the globalization of Taekwondo, the Korean government awarded you the Moran Medal of the Order of Civil Merit in 2013.

Receiving the highest government honors from both Korea and Germany, where you spent over half your life, clearly demonstrates your dedication as a Taekwondo leader and administrator, and your significant role in promoting Taekwondo in Germany, Europe, and its adoption as an official Olympic sport.

However, you always humbly said, "Looking back, I feel I have received undeserved blessings. There are no clear achievements that I can hold onto." You emphasized, "For our national sport Taekwondo to remain the eternal origin and undisputed home, it needs continuous content enhancement and a new strategic approach to be recognized as a cultural heritage."

Now, in this sorrowful time of losing such a great figure, your imposing presence and noble spirit resonate even more clearly in our hearts.
Please watch over us kindly from heaven, and see how your successors are continuing the works you envisioned. Spend your time comfortably and happily.

In the future, with the results of our efforts, we will visit you in heaven, where you have become a great star, along with your successors.

Respectfully,

Ree Sang-gi, Vice President of the World Children Taekwondo Union