Facts and Statistics

Latter-day Saint servicemen first brought the Church's teaching to Korea in 1951, during the Korean War. Among the first Korean members was Ho Jik Kim, converted while earning a doctorate in the United States. Kim became an influential leader in the Korean government and paved the way for missionaries to enter Korea.

The first official missionaries arrived in Korea in 1954. They learned to speak the language, and they taught many young students. The Korean Mission was created on July 8, 1962, with seven branches (small congregations) of the Church.

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ was printed in Korean in 1967. The first stake (diocese) was created in Seoul, South Korea, on March 8, 1973. Membership increased to 9,000 in 1975, and by 1983, it had reached almost 29,000.

A temple was announced for Seoul on April 1, 1981, and was dedicated December 14, 1985. When the 1988 Olympic Games were held in Korea, the Brigham Young University Folk Dancers performed at the opening ceremonies, viewed by an estimated audience of 1 billion people worldwide.

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Dong Chol Beh
Seoul,
South Korea
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