Richard Chun, Ph.D. began studying Taekwondo at the age of 11 under two highly respected teachers in Seoul, Korea: Chong Soo Hong and Ki Whang Kim.

He progressed to 9th Dan by Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Federation) and Moo Duk Kwan after more than fifty years of study, establishing him as one of the highest ranking master instructors in the United States. (9th Dan by Kukkiwon in 1989 and by Moo Duk Kwan in 1981).

Richard Chun began studying Taekwondo at the age of 11 under two highly respected teachers in Seoul, Korea: Chong Soo Hong and Ki Whang Kim. He progressed to 9th Dan by Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Federation) and Moo Duk Kwan after more than fifty years of study, establishing him as one of the highest ranking master instructors in the United States. (9th Dan by Kukkiwon in 1989 and by Moo Duk Kwan in 1981).

A graduate of Yon Sei University in Seoul in 1957, he organized and served as team captain of the Taekwondo Club. Immigrating to the United States in 1962, he earned an M.B.A. in marketing from the School of Business Administration at Long Island University and a Ph.D. in Education. He has been a Professor of Health and Physical Education at Hunter College City University of New York. Dr. Chun has been teaching Taekwondo at his center in New York City for four decades.

He was instrumental in organizing the Annual Universal Taekwondo Championships in the 1960's. He was appointed head coach of the U.S.A. Taekwondo team in 1973 for the first World Taekwondo Championships in Seoul. He has traveled and lectured extensively at local Taekwondo schools around the country as well as made appearances on TV talk shows. He went on to establish the United States Taekwondo Association in 1980 and has served as its President as well as assisted in the organization of Taekwondo as an event in the 1988 Olympics. Dr. Chun has since served as Senior International Referee for championships and the Olympics. In the fall of 1999, Dr. Chun was appointed as a Special Assistant to the President of the World Taekwondo Federation, Dr. Un Yong Kim. He continues to train senior black belts around the world and was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame by Black Belt Magazine in 1979.

Taekwondo Spirit and Practice is his fifth book. His other books are Tae Kwon Do and Advancing in Tae Kwon Do, both published by Harper-Collins and still in print. Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan, Volumes I and II are published by Ohara Publications. These books are on technique in the art of Taekwondo. He has also produced a number of instructional videos on self-defense.

Dr. Chun has also been a member of the Lions Clubs International for over thirty years, where he has served as District Governor in New York. He is married with two children.