A Brief History of Hapkido
During the Silla Dynasty in Korea, 7th Century AD, about 1,350 years ago, an organization called the Hwa Rang Do was formed to train the young men of the Noble classes to become emergency combat teams, ready to defend the region in times of need. The Hwa Rang Do, which translates roughly to "Way of the Young Flower" was legalized and supported by King Chin Hung of the Silla Dynasty. These small groups lived in common quarters and drilled both mind and body with strict discipline and teachings under the provisions of the Gentry Class. The martial art taught to the Hwa Rang Do, although nameless at the time, formed the basis of what would become modern Hapkido. Various forms of Hapkido are found depicted on the stone walls and what remains of the ruins of what were Silla Dynasty buildings.
As time went on, the martial discipline of the Hwa Rang Do dissipated as more and more of the young noble men chose to prepare themselves for lives in business rather than war-craft. Most of the descendants of the original Hwa Rang Do chose to pursue intellectual training, preparing themselves to take the National Examination which led to becoming government officials and the like. The result was that maintenance of the martial arts degraded until only a shadow of the former arts remained. This remnant was called Taek Ki Yon and later became Taekkyon.
The art was maintained by monks in isolated monasteries preserving the original techniques and philosophies. With the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1910 all Korean martial arts were outlawed and the only practice and maintenance of the original forms was done in secret in isolated monasteries in remote mountain locations. The study of Japanese martial arts, namely Judo and Kendo, was allowed to a certain extent and the influences of these arts are seen in Hapkido in its throws and grappling moves as well as the 
relationship between Japanese Kendo and Korean Kum Do, meaning The Way of the Sword, is readily evident.
It was shortly after the Japanese occupations' beginning that Choi Yong Suhl, the originator of modern Hapkido, emigrated to Japan. Having already mastered Tae 
Kyun in his youth, Master Choi studied a Japanese system called Daito Ryu or Dai Ju-Jutsu. This system of Ju-Jutsu is said to be the forerunner of Judo and Aikido. Master Choi returned to Korea after the end of WWII in 1945 and founded the first Hapkido school in Taegu, Korea. 
Hapkido is a direct off shoot of the original Korean martial art form of Taekkyon. Japanese Ju-Jutsu can also trace it's beginnings to Korean Taekkyon. Through it's long history and consistent reworking through the ages to suit both the noble class that founded it's principles teaching both physical and mental disciple that would carry over into a life of community service and understanding to the battle hardened Korean soldiers that fought to preserve Korea's independence from every major nation on the continent throughout the years. This made it one of the first truly integrated arts that recognized the effectiveness of combining the best aspects of both the "hard" and "soft" styles into a very powerful combination of techniques and theories.
Eventually Master Choi and his top student, Ji Han Jae, brought Hapkido to Seoul to teach it to the public for the first time; over seventy-five percent of the Republic of Korea's population lives in Seoul, making it the logical choice for expansion efforts. Master Choi eventually retired back to Taegu and died in 1987.
Today many of the legendary Hapkido Grand Masters who revitalized Hapkido and brought it to the west are no longer with us. Grand Master Song is a living legend for his work with both the Republic of Korea's Marine Corps. as well 
as the United States Armed Forces and has received commendations and personal letters of thanks from both the Secretary of the United States Army and the Assistant Chief of Staff of the United States President for his dedication and accomplishments.
Hapkido is an amalgamation of the Chinese influenced Tae Kyun and Japanese Ju-Jutsu. This made it one of the first truly integrated arts that recognized the effectiveness of combining the best aspects of both the "hard" and "soft" styles into a very powerful combination of techniques and theories.
Hapkido helped to revitalize traditional Korean martial arts by providing systemization and became incorporated into other styles.
This process complemented modern Korean martial arts like Kuk Sool Won, Han Mu Do and Hwarangdo.
Hapkido is often paired with Taekwondo, which is the national sport of South Korea. Due to the circular and flowing techniques of Hapkido it makes an excellent partner with the hard striking techniques of Taekwondo, The Art of Punching and Kicking. tae "to strike or break with foot"; kwon "to strike or break with fist"; and do "way, method, art form".
The study of Japanese martial arts, namely Judo has its influences in Hapkido as seen in its throws and grappling moves.
Hapkido tactics include using footwork and a series of kicks and hand strikes to bridge the distance with an opponent. Then to immediately 
control the balance of the opponent for a take down or to isolate a wrist or arm and apply a joint lock or twisting technique. Once the opponent's balance has been taken there are numerous techniques to disable and ultimately subdue the opponent.
Hapkido makes use of Hyeol which is Korean for pressure points. These are traditionally used in the Asian medical practices such as acupuncture. These pressure points are either struck, to produce unconsciousness, or manipulated, to create pain, allowing one to more easily gain control of their opponent's balance and the situation.
Due to its battle tested effectiveness in multiple wars and international conflicts Hapkido is now a staple for armed forces combat training.
Grand Master Song has personally instructed soldiers around the world in the ways of Hapkido including the; Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Korean Presidential Bodyguard, Korean Special Forces Taekwondo Team, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and even served with the United Nations Command Headquarters. Grand Master Song has also instructed students who range from local law enforcement to the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, CA since 1983.
Hapkido is also taught to and used by; U.S. Secret Service, CIA, FBI and has been used on screen by such Martial Art stars as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan, who has taught it to his entire stunt team because of his demand for realism and effectiveness.
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