Grandmaster Yong Suk Chang is known across Canada and throughout international Taekwondo networks.  He is a man with very strong character, a very noble man whose life was inspired by five words, perseverance, integrity, indomitable spirit, self-control, courtesy, the tenants of Taekwondo.  The tenants of Taekwondo are the foundation of the philosophy, which is encouraged to all practitioners. For every one million students of Taekwondo, only one truly master’s the art and lives by the tenants.
Taekwondo is a martial art of Korean origin, dating back many centuries ago.  It was developed as a superior form of defense against the marauding Mongols and Japanese. Korea has many national sports but Taekwondo is by far the most popular.  Leg kicks and jumping acrobatics makes Taekwondo very enjoyable to watch, practice and difficult to master.  Taekwondo is the world’s most practiced martial art. It is an Olympic sport, an artistic discipline, a system of self-defense and a way of life.
            Grandmaster Chang became a black belt when he was 12 years old in his hometown of Hwa-Soon, South Korea.  1962, he became Korea’s junior national champion and later instructed the Korean National Army for 3 years, a position held only for the elite Taekwondo students.  After fulfilling his national duty, he was encouraged by the Taekwondo President General Choi Hong Hi, to become an ambassador in sharing Taekwondo abroad.   
            Coming from very humble beginnings and a hard work ethic, Grandmaster Chang eventually moved to Sudbury, Ontario in 1972 to begin life in Canada. To start his Taekwondo School in Canada he required capital.  So he started as a laborer, working in high-rise developments moving bags of cement to the top. While others workers carried one bag, Grandmaster Chang carried one bag on each shoulder.  Making below minimum wage, he felt a sense of accomplishment when enough money was saved to rent a facility, buy equipment and uniforms, as well as some advertising posters.  On opening day, he noticed a long, long line of people in front of his dojang.  He didn’t understand why the line up was there.  He was very surprised to see that each person was ready to learn Taekwondo and he signed up 89 people that very first day.  He quit his construction job soon after.  Soon later, he returned to Korea to accompany his wife and daughter to Canada. To they’re new home.  His beliefs and work ethic were the foundations of his teachings and his life.  He shared Taekwondo with everyone and anyone who had a desire to learn.  Without a doubt, many of his students used Grandmaster Chang as a father figure and role model as they succeeded within life.
Initially, the reason for his success was of his extraordinary high jumping kicks.  His foot achieved heights nearing 10 ft high, he could break 3 board targets in the air within the same jump and same foot!  These types of high skill, athletic kicking techniques were virtually unheard of in North America. So much so, he and 4 other elite masters (including General Choi) performed all over the world as part of a goodwill Taekwondo team. From 1981 to 1984, the team traveled across North America, Japan, Russia, South America and Europe. Post Korean War, Korea, a 3rd world country, had difficulty trying to break culture barriers and stereotypes of a seized nation.  However, when gaining respect and a willing audience, breaking bricks and blocks of wood always worked very well.  Korea’s self esteem slowly increased with each new student, with every awed spectator, with each proud parent of a student in Taekwondo.
In 1978, Grandmaster Chang and his family moved to Saint John, New Brunswick.  True to his heart, he wished to break into uncharted territories. He enjoyed the challenge of promoting Taekwondo.  Twenty years ago, Saint John was an extremely different then today. Being segregated from his friends in central Canada, living in a blatant racist community and having to start from scratch, were challenges that required time to overcome and still trying to overcome today.  Grandmaster Chang has influenced every Taekwondo practitioners in Eastern Canada directly or indirectly. He has touched the lives of tens of thousands of people during his tenure and continues to do so.  If you ever met Grandmaster Chang it is very apparent that this individual is of a special breed.  He enjoys helping people with various challenges, whether the goal is to lose 20lbs or to tone muscles; to achieve a black belt or to eventually open a new Taekwondo school; from being a friend to establishing a life long bonds.
While, in Saint John he had the opportunity to help construct a National Taekwondo Association, a governing body of like minded individuals across Canada.  He also assisted as in introducing Taekwondo as an official Olympic sport in 1992.  He held many positions with WTF Canada’s Board of Directors and represented Canada as an official at many international competitions. He opened doors for all New Brunswick Taekwondo students with his travels and experience during his tenure. He also was instrumental in starting the New Brunswick Taekwondo Association, which assisted athlete development and the art of Taekwondo.  In fact, through his efforts through the Association, knowledge in teaching and coaching, he produced New Brunswick’s only male national champion in 1998 and most winningest New Brunswick Athlete on the National and International scale.  This athlete also became the WTF Male Athlete of the Year and 3 times Team Canada Member.  Grandmaster Chang’s efforts landed him in the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and the city of Saint John declared September 8, 2000 as Grandmaster Yong-Suk Chang Day.
In 2000, Grandmaster Chang passed his school to his son so he may focus his efforts on other projects.  His energies and goals not only helped Saint John develop into a more multicultural community but a more prosperous one.  His new passion was to encourage other Koreans to settle here in the province by forming a New Brunswick Korean Association and later a Korean Saint John Group and cultural center.  His efforts landed recognition and awards by the Korean Consular General, Korean Ambassadors and the President of South Korea.  Not forgetting to mention how the Saint John Korean population has increased from one family to two hundred and fifty today!  Grandmaster Chang also has recognized the New Brunswick Korean War Vets with Christmas dinners and Summer Picnics each year over the last 8 years.  These acts of humility were rewarded with a Friendship Award from the Royal Canadian Legion in 2006.
He is still active within the community and his influence has encouraged his son to run as a city councilor.  His son became Saint John’s youngest councilor and the first Asian councilor in New Brunswick.