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. 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 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. 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. Doug Cook holds a 6th Dan Black Belt in the Korean martial art of taekwondo and is certified as an instructor and in rank by the United States Taekwondo Association and the Kukkiwon. He is a six-time gold medalist. He holds a D3 status as a US Referee and has received high honors from Korea. Master Cook is credited with the creation of the Chosun Women's Self-Defense Course. He has also provided training for the US Army National Guard prior to military operations and has instructed agents from the Department of Homeland Security, the New York Police Department and the Bronx CountyMaster Cook owns and operates the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located in Warwick, New York -" an institute specializing in traditional martial arts instruction and Ki, or internal energy, development.