Grandmaster Kwang Jae Lee is a 9th Degree Black Belt from Korea. He is one of the highest ranking masters of the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. He has had more than 40 years teaching experience in the martial arts and has taught in many schools throughout the world.

Grandmaster Lee seated in his office in Bergenfield, NJ

In 1981, Master Lee founded the New Jersey State Tae Kwon Do Association and was elected its first president by his peers. In 1986, Master Lee was elected president of the New Jersey Martial Arts Federation. Master Lee is highly recognized and respected among all.

A Brief History

Seoul, Korea

Grandmaster Lee opened his first two Tae Kwon Do schools beginning in 1965. First, in the Sang Do Dong district and then in the Noryang Jin district of Seoul, Korea. He began teaching his own students when he was a 5th Degree Black Belt.

Grandmaster Lee and his students during a Black Belt Test ceremony. — Seoul, Korea 1970 — Grandmaster Lee and his students during a Black Belt Test ceremony.
— Seoul, Korea 1970

Grandmaster Lee and students pose after a test ceremony. —Seoul, Korea 1970 — Grandmaster Lee and students pose after a test ceremony.
—Seoul, Korea 1970

As a member of the World Tae Kwon Do Federation, he served as an official judge for Black Belt competitions. (Black Belts above the 5th Dan ranking were not allowed to compete.)

1971 The Bronx, NY

Grandmaster Lee with students, Nick and Tyrone. —New York, 1973 — Grandmaster Lee with students, Nick and Tyrone.
—New York, 1973

In 1971, Master Lee opened the first Tae Kwon Do school in The Bronx, NY, the first ever in the borough’s history – later to be run by Master Sang Soo “Tiger” Kim.

1972 New Jersey

Grandmaster Lee and students pose after a test ceremony. (seated center row from left to right: Rich, Tony, Paul, Master Kwang Jae Lee, Master Ki Coong Kim, Timothy) —Bergenfield, NJ 1973 — Grandmaster Lee and students pose after a test ceremony.
(seated center row from left to right: Rich, Tony, Paul, Master Kwang Jae Lee, Master Ki Coong Kim, Timothy)
—Bergenfield, NJ 1973

Soon afterwards in 1972, he opened a school in Bergenfield, NJ during at which time he also instructed students in Staten Island, NY and at the Ridgewood, NJ YMCA.

WARNING: Some of the photos depict high level martial arts maneuvers that may be dangerous to attempt on your own without years of experience or without the aid of a professional master. Photos are for demonstrations purposes only. Please do not try this at home.

1973 New York City

Grandmaster Lee performs a reverse round-house kick on an apple (held off of a knife) in the Big Apple. —23rd Street, New York City 1973 — Grandmaster Lee performs a reverse round-house kick on an apple (held off of a knife) in the Big Apple.
—23rd Street, New York City 1973

Master Lee opened a Tae Kwon Do school in Manhattan 23rd Street the following year where he continued to promote the Asian art and educate eager American students.

Grandmaster Lee performs a specialized form (using a cane as weaponry) that combines speed, concentration and focus on the perfect angle to break an apple sitting on student Rich's head. —Bergenfield, NJ 1976 — Grandmaster Lee performs a specialized form (using a cane as weaponry) that combines speed, concentration and focus on the perfect angle to break an apple sitting on student Rich’s head.
—Bergenfield, NJ 1976

Grandmaster Lee successfully performs a specialized form (using a cane as weaponry) that combines speed, concentration and focus on the perfect angle to break an apple sitting on student Rich's head. —Madison square Garden, 1976 — Grandmaster Lee successfully performs a specialized form (using a cane as weaponry) that combines speed, concentration and focus on the perfect angle to break an apple sitting on student Rich’s head.
—Madison square Garden, 1976

Grandmaster Lee uses a cane to break a board as his students Rich and Al axes (supporting the board) above the heads of students Tony and Joe.—Madison Square Garden, New York, 1976 — Grandmaster Lee uses a cane to break a board as his students Rich and Al axes (supporting the board) above the heads of students Tony and Joe.
—Madison Square Garden, New York, 1976

Grandmaster Lee has performed martial arts demonstrations internationally including the world-renowned Madison Square Garden in New York.

Backstage at the tournament.—Madison Square Garden, New York, 1972 — Backstage at the tournament.
—Madison Square Garden, New York, 1972

New York, New Jersey

Grandmaster Lee stands proudly in front of the Korean Flag. — New York, 1974 — Grandmaster Lee stands proudly in front of the Korean Flag.
— New York, 1974

Grandmaster Lee’s teachings have flourished throughout New York and New Jersey including Nanuet, Monsey, Bloomfield and now, in Mount Olive where the positive energy and warm environment is reminiscent of his first do-jang (school) in his native Korea.

Eagle Tae Kwon Do School Picnic—May 16, 2004 - Mount Olive, NJ — Eagle Tae Kwon Do School Picnic
—May 16, 2004 – Mount Olive, NJ

Grandmaster Lee’s Students

Many of his students have gone on to open their own schools and help others to learn the art of Tae Kwon Do.

Masters and students after a test. (Back row from left to right: Black Belt Timothy, Black Belt Paul, Master P Y Lee, Master S J Kim, Master Kwang Jae Lee, Master K J Kim, Master K S Kim, Black Belt Tom)
— Bergenfield, NJ 1975 — Masters and students after a test.
(Back row from left to right: Black Belt Timothy, Black Belt Paul, Master P Y Lee, Master S J Kim, Master Kwang Jae Lee, Master K J Kim, Master K S Kim, Black Belt Tom)
— Bergenfield, NJ 1975

There is little room for the punching bag as Black Belt Glen Smits demonstrates a powerful side kick.—New Jersey 1977 — There is little room for the punching bag as Black Belt Glen Smits demonstrates a powerful side kick.
—New Jersey 1977

Martial Arts Encyclopedia

Most notably, Grandmaster Lee’s techinques have been published as featured definitions in The Martial Arts Encyclopedia by Larry Winderbaum (1977).

Grandmaster Lee with students.—Seoul, Korea 1971 — Grandmaster Lee with students.
—Seoul, Korea 1971

Grandmaster Lee visits Korea and poses with his students and Moo Duk Kwon General Secretary Grandmaster Baek.—Kim Po Airport, Korea, 1973 — Grandmaster Lee visits Korea and poses with his students and Moo Duk Kwon General Secretary Grandmaster Baek.
—Kim Po Airport, Korea, 1973

Grandmaster Lee with Hap Ki Do Master, faculty members, and students after a school demonstration.
—Northern Vally Regional High School, New Jersey 1976

Grandmaster Lee with Hap Ki Do Master, faculty members, and students after a school demonstration.—Northern Vally Regional High School, New Jersey 1976 — Grandmaster Lee visits Korea and poses with his students and Moo Duk Kwon General Secretary Grandmaster Baek.
—Kim Po Airport, Korea, 1973

Grandmaster Lee with Hap Ki Do Master, faculty members, and students after a school demonstration.
—Northern Vally Regional High School, New Jersey 1976

Officers of the New Jersey American Athletic Union (NJAAU) stand with medals. (from left to right) Vice President Hyuk Keun Shim, President Kwang Jae Lee, Secretary Dae Kyu Lee

Grandmaster Lee taking a leisurely boat ride. —Seoul, Korea 1970

Grandmaster Lee taking a leisurely boat ride.—Seoul, Korea 1970 — Officers of the New Jersey American Athletic Union (NJAAU) stand with medals. (from left to right) Vice President Hyuk Keun Shim, President Kwang Jae Lee, Secretary Dae Kyu Lee

Grandmaster Lee taking a leisurely boat ride. —Seoul, Korea 1970