Grandmaster Pak was born in Taegu city, in what is now the Republic of South Korea. He began studying Tang Soo Do at the age of 12 in the Moo Duk Kwan federation. His instructor was Cha Jay Won, a first-generation instructor under Hwang Kee. He received his black belt in 1951.

In addition to teaching Korean citizens, Grandmaster Pak taught Tang Soo Do for the U.S. government, including the 7th Infantry M.P. Company, 6170 Combat Support Squad, and the CIA.

In 1973, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida, then on to Louisville, Kentucky. In 1974, he moved to Lafayette, Indiana. Then he returned to Jacksonville in 1975, where he opened a school on Blanding Boulevard, not far from the location of the present Federation headquarters. In 1985, he opened his present facility, which serves as the headquarters and central do jong for the UTF, and is thought to have the largest martial arts training area in the world.