http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nati...7520811950.htm

The 8th U.S. Army (EUSA) command is considering making taekwondo, South Korea’s national martial art, compulsory for all of its soldiers as early as next year, officials said on Friday.

``The command is in the initial stage of investigating a proposal of making the Korean sport compulsory,’’ Ha Haeng-ja, spokesperson for the 8th Army, told The Korea Times.

``The martial art, which incorporates kicks and punches and teaches speed, strength and confidence which is crucial in combat, is believed to enhance the American soldiers’ fighting capability and help them understand Korean culture better,’’ she added.

The proposal was made by Kim Mu-nok, a Korean taekwondo grandmaster who oversees the 2nd Infantry Division program. The 8th Army command will look into its feasibility, according to officials. Currently, individual units make their own decisions about sports programs