The United States Korean Martial Arts Federation's roots go back to the late 1970's when several American instructors in the Southeastern United States joined forces in order to increase the amount of knowledge available to their students. By conducting clinics, seminars and testings at central locations, these instructors set a new higher standard for the average student to attain. During the late 1980's, under the leadership of GM J. R. West, interest in the organization went well beyond it's original regional boundaries and became the USKMAF that exists today.