Originally from Korea, Grandmaster Kun Yoo Park first opened the Park Institute of Tae Kwon Do in 1976. Since then, the Park Institute has grown to be the largest martial arts school in Southeastern Minnesota and one of the leading schools in the nation. Grandmaster Park is a 9th degree Kukkiwon certified black belt, which is the highest rank achievable by World Tae Kwon Do Federation standards. He has been teaching Tae Kwon Do for over 46 years and has instructed most of the black belts in the Rochester area. Other highlights include:

• Current Event Director of the Pan American Tae Kwon Do Union (PATU).
• US Tae Kwon Do team delegate to the 1988 and 2000 Olympics
• Certified International Olympic Referee
• US Team Manager for the 1989 World TKD Championships in Seoul, Korea
• Has trained and taught numerous international and national athletes, including athletes who have become members of the US National Tae Kwon Do team.
• Director of the 1989 US National Jr. Olympics (Mayo Civic Center)
• Director of the 1993 US National Tae Kwon Do Championships (St. Paul)
• Awarded commendation from the Governor of Minnesota, 1990

Philosophy of Teaching

"I see Tae Kwon Do as a way to change people's attitudes, life view, and life path. Whether it be a bad attitude about work, an underdeveloped self-esteem, or other things, I want to help change that attitude for everyday living. You don't have to have a certain personality or be in the best shape to do Tae Kwon Do. You just have to be willing to incorporate certain aspects of Tae Kwon Do in your life, such as, courtesy, integrity, perserverence, self control, and an indomitable spirit. The Park Institute program stays with you everday and in many aspects of your life. I want to help people be the better person within themselves."
             -Grandmaster Park

Grandmaster Park's commitment to the fitness and values inherent in teaching traditional Tae Kwon Do make him a leading figure in the Tae Kwon Do community.