The Universal Martial Arts Institute (UMI) was founded in 1989 by Grandmaster Ik Hwan Kim. It is made up of two divisions: Universal Taekwondo Federation (UTF) and Universal Hapkido Federation (UHF).

Universal Taekwondo Federation (UTF):

This traditional Taekwondo style combines modern and practical techniques of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). Over the past twenty-five years, we have expanded this curriculum worldwide. Our organization provides unlimited training for all levels and continues through black belt and beyond. We emphasize on training experienced students to achieve the different black belt levels. While membership may decrease in other schools due to limited curriculum for advanced students, UTF provides unsurpassed training for a lifetime.

Grandmaster Ik-Hwan Kim has over 40 years of teaching experience in Taekwondo and is an authentic 9th Dan. In 1975 he was the first master to teach both Taekwondo and Hapkido at the same school in Korea. He believes that one does not have to be young, limber, athletic or physically strong to learn and practice Taekwondo and Hapkido. With this philosophy in mind, he has created a program suitable for any adult, no matter what their age or physical limitations.

The school in Lafayette offers many training opportunities for children, adults and instructors.