The precise origin of hapkido, from which hankido is derived, is one of many Japan–Korea disputes, as there is a strong connection to the Japanese martial art aikido.

This new hapkido style can be recognized by its elegant, circular movements which the hankido practitioner uses to get in control of his or her opponent.

Myung Jae Nam toured Europe and the United States to promote his new art until his death in 1999.

Hankido emphasizes the use of three principles, which are Won (圓), Yu (流), and Hwa (和), and using the power of softness.

To give the hankido practitioner more insight into these principles, there are three exercises they can practice, the Sam Dae Wolly (삼대원리).

Most well known for his effort to do this is Master Ko Baek Yong from the Sang Moo Kwan International Training Center.