Seoul Korea Temple
Number37
Dedication14 December 1985, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site1 acre (0.40 ha)
Floor area28,057 sq ft (2,606.6 m2)
Height112 ft (34 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
←
Johannesburg South Africa Temple
Seoul Korea Temple		 →
Lima Peru Temple
Additional information
Announced1 April 1981, by Spencer W. Kimball
Groundbreaking9 May 1983, by Marvin J. Ashton
Open house26 November 26 - 7 December 1985
Designed byChurch A&E Services and Komerican Architects
LocationSeoul, South Korea
Geographic coordinates37°33′32.24519″N 126°55′52.68360″E / 37.5589569972°N 126.9313010000°E / 37.5589569972; 126.9313010000
Exterior finishGranite exterior
Temple designModern adaptation of six-spire design
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms1 (class)
Sealing rooms3
Visitors' centeryes
()

The Seoul Korea Temple (Korean: 한국 서울 성전) is the 37th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

History

The first member of the church in South Korea was baptized in 1951. At that time Korea was in the midst of a war against Communist armies, with the UN intervening. Latter-day Saint servicemen from the United States were the first to bring the LDS Church's teachings to the area.

The first church's missionaries arrived in South Korea in 1954. Some years later, church apostle Boyd K. Packer was assigned to travel to South Korea and find a place in which to build a temple. After considering several locations, Packer eventually chose the property which the church had purchased almost two decades earlier. In 1981, the announcement was made for a temple in Seoul.

Gordon B. Hinckley, of the church's First Presidency, dedicated the Seoul Korea Temple on December 14, 1985.[1] The temple's walls feature Korean granite with six white spires. A traditional, tiled "hundred-year roof" gives the temple a uniquely Korean appearance. Inside, the temple is decorated with delicate brush paintings, intricate wooden molding, silk wall coverings, gold leaf, dome chandeliers, and white lacquer furniture inlaid with mother of pearl.

After the temple was dedicated, a subway system was built in conjunction with the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. The system included a line that ended right at the base of the hill upon which the temple was built, making the temple even more accessible for church members.

The temple is located near what is today Sinchon Station on the Seoul Subway Line 2. This station is located near four major South Korean universities: Yonsei University, Hongik University, Ewha Womans University, and Sogang University.

The Seoul Korea Temple has a total of 28,057 square feet (2,606.6 m2), four ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms.

In 2020, like all the church's other temples, the Seoul Korea Temple was closed temporarily during the year in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[2]

Presidents

Notable presidents of the temple include Spencer J. Palmer (1988–90) and Han In Sang (1996–2000). As of November 2019, the temple president is Chiwon Kim.

See also

The Plan of salvation in Korean language.

References

  1. ↑ "'Temple is the most peaceful place in the world'", Deseret News, 26 December 1998. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  2. ↑ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
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