Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir pulled of what few have accomplished - successfully ignored many of the plot elements put forth in the first book, spinning a better series as time went on.  CURE is financed and run by the "Folcroft Foundation" and is a training ground for spies. Chiun is this "funny little man" who teaches Remo martial arts. The movie tie-in novel reads much truer. Personally, I think Murphy and Sapir prefer this version over the original book - I know I do (although Murphy hated the movie plot.)  We learn much more of Sinanju and Chiun in the movie version, Remo's training is covered in more detail, and Conn Mcleary has a bigger role.

Thankfully Chiun had a much bigger presence in future books, and the "history" created in this first book was rewritten.