All of us at Martial Arts World News and the martial arts community would like to wish Grandmaster Soon Ho Lee a very Happy Birthday!
Soon Ho Lee is the Grand Master Emeritus of Songahm Taekwondo, the American Taekwondo Association. He was given the title at ATA’s World Championships in June 2002, succeeding his brother Haeng Ung Lee.
In 1969, Soon Ho Lee joined his elder brother in the United States. His goal was to expand his academic opportunities, at the time he did not intend to become a Taekwondo instructor. In June 2011, at the world championships in Little Rock, Arkansas, H.U. Lee gave up his title of grand master, and Ho lee became the new grand master.
Grandmaster Ho Lee is described as an inspiring teacher, a charismatic dignitary, prudent businessman, a good listener, and a prolific martial artist. Grand Master Soon Ho Lee, 9th Degree Black Belt, leads the world’s 
largest martial arts organization, the American Taekwondo Association (ATA), headquartered in Little Rock, Ark. Since 1977.
Realizing the ATA’s mission of spreading Taekwondo to every shore will take perseverance, integrity, self-control and loyalty – the virtues the Grand Master exhibits so naturally. When H.U. Lee entrusted the future care of his life’s work – the Songahm system and the Songahm family – to his brother, his helper and his lifelong confidant, he was paying Soon Ho the ultimate compliment.
Grand Master Ho Lee strives daily to be worthy of it, but those who know him agree unanimously, without reservation: Grand Master Soon Ho Lee is right where he needs to be.
