Press Release: December 1, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2020
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Neil Morton
Chief Executive Officer
501-568-2821
[email protected]
Chief Master Al Dilegge
Chief of Staff
501-568-2821
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Grand Masters Soon Ho Lee and M.K. Lee Join Forces to Guide the ATA
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (December 1, 2020) – ATA International, the world’s largest organization dedicated to teaching martial arts to the entire family and with licensed locations across the globe, is proud to announce today the selection of Grand Master M.K. Lee as the nominee to be ATA’s next Presiding Grand Master. In accordance with ATA tradition, both the Masters’ Council and the ATA Board of Directors approved this nomination, following selection protocols established by the Masters’ Council Bylaws.
Grand Master M.K. Lee is not only a member of the Founders’ Council but also the ATA’s Chairman of Rank Advancement. For over 20 years, he served on the Masters’ Council and was the Chairman of the Training Division. His leadership contributed to the growth and evolution of the ATA Tigers, ATA Leadership and ATA Legacy programs. With his stellar credentials, Grand Master M.K. Lee has earned the right to be the next Presiding Grand Master.
We have more great news: Grand Master Emeritus Soon Ho Lee has offered his services to help guide the ATA during this transitional period. He will serve as Acting Presiding Grand Master and will help prepare Grand Master M.K. Lee for the role of Presiding Grand Master. To those who have been asking who will be responsible for dubbing new Masters while we await the inauguration of our next Presiding Grand Master, this exciting development provides the answer: They will be dubbed by the most senior member of the ATA.
Grand Master Soon Ho Lee will be an experienced and steady hand during these turbulent times. He has already secured a lasting legacy with his contributions to Songahm Taekwondo. After Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee passed away 20 years ago, Grand Master Soon Ho Lee provided the leadership that enabled the ATA to become the first major martial arts organization to survive the death of its Founder. We are honored to have his support as we once again confront new challenges and embrace new opportunities.
About ATA International
The ATA was founded in 1969 by Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee. The organization is internationally headquartered in Little Rock, AR and has called the state capital home since 1977. With active membership approaching 300,000 worldwide, ATA is North America’s largest martial arts organization dedicated to the discipline of Taekwondo. ATA is a pioneer in the martial arts industry because of its unique Songahm style curriculum.
For more information about ATA, visit www.ataonline.com.