Admired and respected within his school and the Ottawa community, Grandmaster Lee is more than just an instructor to his students. Those who take the time to know him discover a warm and compassionate person beneath the firm exterior he projects during class time. The progress and well-being of his students is of great concern to him and he strives to know each one individually as a person rather than just a pupil.
“His great love for Taekwondo and his intense interest in his students make him one of the finest instructors in Canada.”
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee, a graduate MBA, is the only Korean Grandmaster in Ottawa teaching the ancient 2,000 year-old Korean martial art, has become a dominant and central force for Taekwondo throughout Canada and the world. In Ottawa, he is the only internationally certified Grandmaster with the World Taekwondo (WT) Federation.
- A student of Taekwondo since the age of 12, Grandmaster Tae E. Lee is a 9th DAN (Degree) Black Belt, the highest level attainable, making him one of the highest-ranking Grandmasters in the world. Furthermore, he is one of the only actively teaching 9th DAN Black Belts in the world.
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee served as a Chief Combat Instructor in the Korean Army, a position only held by the highest qualified Masters.
- This highly educated, learned and revered Grandmaster developed his Moo Kwang philosophy of a balanced, focused life, which has inspired and encouraged thousands and thousands of students for over 40 years.
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee is an inductee into both the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame, founder of Special Needs Taekwondo, and works closely with the Ottawa Regional Police, the OPP, the RCMP and NCC in various matters of training and security.
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee was a major player in having World Taekwondo (WT) recognized as an official Olympic sport, and subequently having Para-Taekwondo recognized as an official Paralympic Sport.
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee is one of Ottawa’s leading citizens and has worked tirelessly to promote the interests of Korean culture away from his birth country as well as the interests of Taekwondo, both nationally and internationally.
- On many occasions, Grandmaster Tae E. Lee has been recognized by Canada and Korea for his charitable, cultural and athletic contributions.
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee served as Auditor (1993-2009) and Treasurer (Executive Committee, 2009-2013) of the World Taekwondo (WT) Federation, the only official international governing body for Taekwondo competitions at the World Championships and Olympic Games. This was the highest position ever held by any Canadian at this International level.
Canada/Korea International Trade & Cultural Relations
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Canada, from October 3, 2012 – December 31, 2013, by H.E. Hee-yong Cho, Ambassador, Republic of Korea
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee has accompanied three Prime Ministers and one Governor General to Korea as well as other Asian countries as a member of several Canadian delegations.
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee has joined forces with three Prime Ministers beginning with Pierre Elliot Trudeau, to develop and strengthen diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Canada. Grandmaster Tae E. Lee has always promoted Canada as the best country in the world in which to live and raise a family.
- “Students of all ages in the Ottawa region have an admirable role model in Grandmaster Tae E. Lee. Arriving in Canada with nothing but a lofty dream, he built a network of schools through hard work, and determination. Through his constant commitment to Taekwondo and his community, Grandmaster Tae E. Lee has become a role model for three generations of Canadian Taekwondo students.
Taekwondo & the Olympics
- Only World Taekwondo (WT) practitioners are eligible to participate at the Olympic Games
- His drive and determination as a leader of Taekwondo Canada for over two decades has led to the expansion of Taekwondo nationally. His tireless efforts, on behalf of Taekwondo, were rewarded with the successful recognition of Taekwondo Canada by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Sport Canada.
Alliances
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee works closely with the Ottawa Carleton Regional Police, the OPP, the RCMP and the National Capital Commission (NCC) in various matters of training and security.
- In addition to personally conducting most of his classes, Grandmaster Lee has also instructed at a host of other institutions, including combat training for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ottawa Police, various security personnel, bodyguards and he was a technical advisor to the Canadian Armed Forces.
- Grandmaster Tae E. Lee was both a correspondent and the Ottawa Bureau Chief for the Korea Times daily newspaper.
- Grandmaster Lee is the Canadian Chang Moo Kwan President.
Recognitions / Milestone Achievements
- 2013: Inductee into the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame.
- 2013: Grandmaster Tae E. Lee receives the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for a lifetime of devotion in the service of others, presented by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
- 2008: Grandmaster Tae E. Lee receives the 2008 Asian of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lifetime of contributions to Canada, presented by The Hon. Sheila Copps on Parliament Hill.
- 2006: Grandmaster Tae E. Lee receives special citation from former Mayor Bob Chiarelli — for being the founding father of Taekwondo in Ottawa and for 30 years of dedicated service to his community.
- 1999: Inductee into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame.
- In Grandmaster Lee’s resume you will be able to see what makes him a true leader in both Taekwondo and the Community.