KJN Craig Hill Promotes to 6th Degree in 2026

In 2026, United Mirae Kuk Sool will proudly recognize a number of senior Master promotions—each one representing decades of dedication, sacrifice, and leadership. We begin this series by honoring a martial artist whose journey reflects the heart of what UMKS stands for.

Congratulations to KJN Craig Hill, who will be promoted to 6th Degree in UMKS this year. Below is a glimpse into his martial arts journey, shared in his own words:

"My journey in martial arts started long before I ever stepped into a dojang. As a kid in the 80s, I was hooked by Saturday night martial arts movies with my dad and an old karate book I discovered in our attic. After being bullied in primary school, I began teaching myself from books before eventually joining local karate and ju jujitsu clubs. Back then, kids trained with the adults, and those early experiences quietly shaped both my confidence and my love for martial arts.

In my late teens, after moving to Edinburgh with my now wife, KJN Tammy, we tried several different martial arts but nothing truly clicked until we found Kuk Sool. I spotted a simple poster at work advertising classes under Master Don McKenzie. Black uniforms, swords, and a complete martial art that seemed to cover everything immediately caught my attention. Nervous but curious, I convinced Tammy to come along for just one class. From the very first session, we were both hooked. We trained four to five times a week, and I knew straight away that earning my black belt was a goal I wanted to commit to fully.

We earned our 1st Dahn Black Belts together and, as we were living outside Edinburgh by then, helped support the Livingston school under KJN John Edmiston. Our journey continued in 2009 when we opened our own school in Dunfermline, followed by South Queensferry in 2015. Along the way, I made a point of learning from the best, attending every seminar and tournament I could, and eventually receiving private instruction from CSJKJN Sung Jin Su. Today, I continue my Kuk Sool journey with Mirae Kuk Sool under his guidance, surrounded by incredible students, some of whom have been with me since day one. It’s also amazing to be able to share all this with my wife and 2 kids (KSN Lennox and JKN Ariana) - I feel genuinely grateful to be in this position, and it’s my family and students who push me to be better every day."

Please join us in congratulating KJN Craig Hill on this well-earned promotion to 6th Degree. His story is a powerful reminder that true mastery is built through perseverance, humility, and a lifelong commitment to learning—values that sit at the very core of UMKS. As we continue this 2026 Master Promotions series, we are honored to celebrate leaders like KJN Craig who help shape the future of our art through their example.