In 1945, Kwang Jang Nim Hwang Kee (1914- 2002) founded the Moo Duk Kwan. During world war 2, Japan occupied Korea, preventing Hwang Kee from opening his studio. After Korea was liberated, he seized his opportunity to open a studio and begin training students. He studied ancient Korean textbooks that described an art called Soo Bahk, the oldest Korean martial art known at the time. In late 1950s, the five kwans (Other popular Korean martial arts) began the unification process that would lead to creation of Taekwondo and the Korea Taekwondo Association. At first, Hwang Kee and his Moo Duk Kwan agreed to be part of the unification. However, Kee would reverse and withdraw Moo Duk Kwan from the process in 1958. Hwang Kee wished to keep Soo Bahk Do away from becoming a sport or for military use, and instead stay about personal growth. On June 30, 1960, Hwang Kee changed the name Moo Duk Kwan's martial art from Tang Soo Do to Soo Bahk Do. After he passed at age 87, the art was taken over by his son Hwang Hyun Chul.
However, this led to divisions within Moo Duk Kwan, with certain former students continuing to teach Tang Soo Do at their schools and in 1965, a faction of students lead by Hong Chong Soo joined the unification effort of the kwans. Regardless, Hwang Kee, Moo Duk Kwan and Soo Bahk Do persisted.
Soo Bahk Do is notable for its use of strong, deep stances as in Shotokan Karate, while also emphasizing a very active use of the hip to help generate force in each movement performed. It is known for its vast array of kicks, a hallmark of Korean martial arts.