07/19/2026
# OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT UNAUTHORIZED CLAIMS
**To the Grandmasters, Masters, Instructors, Students, and Representatives of SinMoo Hapkido Worldwide:**
The leadership of the **World SinMoo Association** and **SinMoo Martial Arts Group** has become aware of statements recently circulated in Iran asserting that a new worldwide president or exclusive leader of SinMoo Hapkido has been established and that all prior ranks, certificates, appointments, and authorities have become invalid following the passing of **Doju Ji Han Jae**.
Those assertions are expressly rejected.
They do not represent the official position of the World SinMoo Association, SinMoo Martial Arts Group, or the duly appointed and recognized international leadership established by Doju Ji Han Jae.
The claims being circulated stand in direct conflict with the written appointments, executed directives, published works, certifications, organizational acts, and established authorities created by Doju Ji Han Jae during his lifetime.
Dojunim personally appointed representatives, recognized senior Grandmasters, established organizations, delegated authority, issued certifications, and entrusted qualified individuals with continuing responsibilities for the preservation and administration of SinMoo Hapkido.
Those acts were intentional, documented, and undertaken by the Founder while he remained the living head of the system.
They did not expire upon his passing.
No person may acquire exclusive worldwide authority merely by making a public declaration, registering a name or organization, communicating with a governmental or sporting body, or claiming recognition from an outside federation.
No outside registration, email, private communication, or unilateral statement has the power to erase the written word or executed appointments of Doju Ji Han Jae.
No individual possesses the unilateral authority to declare that all certificates, ranks, appointments, or representations previously granted by Dojunim or by duly authorized SinMoo organizations are invalid.
Any such claim is unauthorized, historically inaccurate, and contrary to the continuity established by the Founder.
The death of Doju Ji Han Jae did not cancel the rank, authority, legitimacy, or standing of the Grandmasters, Masters, instructors, representatives, and organizations he appointed or recognized.
Nor did his passing create an open office that could be claimed by self-appointment or unilateral declaration.
The true continuity of SinMoo Hapkido rests upon the documented decisions of Doju Ji Han Jae and the fidelity of those representatives installed and entrusted by him before his passing.
The forthcoming **International SinMoo Conclave** will formally present and review the historical record, written appointments, executed instruments, published works, organizational authorities, and succession structure established by Dojunim.
The Conclave will not recognize authority arising solely from unsupported public claims.
It will proceed from the documentary record and from the lawful continuity established by Doju Ji Han Jae himself.
All SinMoo practitioners, particularly those in Iran and throughout Asia, are advised that they are not required to surrender, replace, renew, or repurchase legitimate ranks, certifications, appointments, or organizational recognitions merely because an individual has declared them invalid.
They are further advised not to accept claims that all future SinMoo authority must pass through a newly declared representative or organization unless such authority can be demonstrated through authentic written appointment and lawful delegation originating from Doju Ji Han Jae.
This statement is issued not to promote personal conflict, but to protect the integrity of the Founder’s work and to prevent confusion, coercion, or the unauthorized displacement of his duly appointed representatives.
The history of SinMoo Hapkido cannot be rewritten by announcement.
The written and executed acts of Doju Ji Han Jae cannot be usurped by self-declaration.
His appointments must be honored.
His representatives must be respected.
His work must be preserved.
Respectfully,
**World SinMoo Association**
**SinMoo Martial Arts Group**