Finding LDS community in South Korea

[thatgirl1985]

Hi,

I am moving to South Korea for a teaching job. In fact, I am flying out this week. YIKES

I have only recently begun exploring the Mormon faith and was hoping to continue to learn more while I am in South Korea. I understand that there are Church members in Korea. I will be living in Uijeongbu, which is a mid-sized city just north of Seoul.

How do I go about finding the LDS community in Korea? I am a native English speaker. In fact, I can't speak Korean worth a hoot. Obviously, I'll be teaching in English. LOL.

Are there English-language missionaries and church meetings?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Meghan

[marts1]

lds.org could help you with that.

[thatgirl1985]

Thank you, marts1!

Found just what I needed.

Seoul English Branch...

https://secure.lds.org/units/home/1,9781,600-1-7-428698,00.html

[marts1]

We have 2 or 3 members in our ward from Korea. I always am happy to see and talk to them.

[Bini]

Wow! What an exciting journey! Glad you found what you were looking for :]

[prisonchaplain]

Uijongbu is famous for Pudae Jigae--"GI Stew." It's spicy, made with spam, sausage, and with a great broth, and vegetables. Also, you should find quite a few English-speaking Koreans, as well as some Americans, since there are American military bases in that city, as well as some smaller towns further north.

[thatgirl1985]

I can't wait to get there and begin my new adventure in a foreign land! Thanks for the tip, prisonchaplain! I will have to sample this stew. Sounds tasty!

: )

[MisterT]

gaejang-guk (also called bosintang) is worth trying.. if you're not squeamish about eating dog meat. If you're buying dog at a restaurant to grill there, it'll often be called kagogi.

Bulgogi is typical BBQ beef and found everywhere.

I like the kimchi radishes and cabbage, and hundred year eggs are a staple in my house.

Always get the bimidbab with a meal, its tons of side dishes like preserved sprouts, cucumbers, seaweed, radishes, and cabbages.

Stay away from the street bizarre's until you learn a little of the language and how to 'haggle' with the locals; otherwise you'll get taken for a sucker and end up paying a lot more for things than a local.

[prisonchaplain]

You might also want to visit the world's largest (in membership) church--the Yoido Full Gospel Church. It is on Yoido, in Seoul. Just a little congregation of about 840,000. They have a service with English simultaneous translation (headphones), and there's a tour afterwords. One of the fascinating scenes is watching the changing services. Once the people leave, the doors are shut. And a few minutes later all the doors open, and the people come pouring in, to get good seats (up front, rather than towards the back, like most of us do). Another great scene is when the people are encouraged to pray, and you hear fervent shouts of "Yesu-nim!" (Lord Jesus!) and "Yesu Pi!" (Blood of Jesus!). You wonder at the passion--then, a bell rings, and the people stop on a dime! The church is Pentecostal in passion and belief, but Presbyterian in its orderliness. Very fascinating. They also own a mountain, called Prayer Mountain, where people go to pray, often over night. There are prayer cubicles built into the mountain, with kneeling pads, and a small shelf with a light, for your scripture.

You're in for a treat! Your posts have stirred many fond memories of my time there. Blessings to you.

[the Ogre]

Hi,

I am moving to South Korea for a teaching job. In fact, I am flying out this week. YIKES

I have only recently begun exploring the Mormon faith and was hoping to continue to learn more while I am in South Korea. I understand that there are Church members in Korea. I will be living in Uijeongbu, which is a mid-sized city just north of Seoul.

How do I go about finding the LDS community in Korea? I am a native English speaker. In fact, I can't speak Korean worth a hoot. Obviously, I'll be teaching in English. LOL.

Are there English-language missionaries and church meetings?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Meghan

I lived in Uijongbu for two years and Korea for eight. The English Branch is easy to get to by subway. I lived close to one of the local LDS wards in Uijongbu and sometimes attended there (last time I was there, there were four pairs of LDS Missionaries; 1 being a senior couple and 1 being sisters). It was fun and they loved having me.

There are other Americans in Uijongbu, mostly related to the military, but that is down-sizing if they have not disappeared all together. There are a number of Evangelical Christians there and some are quite nice, but some are openly hostile once they find out you are LDS, but this is nothing new.

Here is the advice I give everyone going to Korea:

1) Take a roll of TP with you everywhere (the restrooms do not have TP in them).

2) Take wipes everywhere (the toilet-seats will need it).

3) Take hand-sanitizer with you everywhere (there is often no soap in the bathroom).

4) Take lots of your own shampoo (Korean shampoo is harsh and great big clumps of your hair will come out every time you shower if you use it).

5) Take your favorite toothpaste, deodorant, perfumes/colognes, and soap (American brands are hard to find and are very expensive and Koreans rarely use deodorant).

6) Take an umbrella everywhere. Acid rain is real and loves to eat hair. There are good ones available cheap. Make one one of your first purchases.

7) Do not drink the water!!!!!!! Koreans don't for very good reason.

8) Do not go out at night alone. Crime is low in Korea, but crime against women in Korea happens only when the woman is alone and crime against women is not reported as it is viewed to be the fault of the woman. If you can, get a female room-mate (Korean or otherwise), that would be very, very, very good.

9) Find the English book-stores in Seoul, there are two good ones on the blue subway line. I like the Chong-ro Mun Go and the Kyobo Mun Go. The trains and buses are great chances to read.

10) Eat lots of Korean Food. Do not worry about eating Dog, Cat, or Goat, it is hard to find and since you are a woman, you are not expected to eat it. Korean women do not. Korean food is great and quite spicy, but not everything is. There are quite a few yummy non-spicy foods. If you need western food, every fast-food place on the planet is in down-town Uijongbu (me and my friends often hung out at Popeye's) and of course Seoul.

I love Korea and miss it. Be smart and cautious. There are around 800,000 people in Uijongbu (even though it does not seem that way) and has many of the same problems big American cities have. Keep your eyes open. American women often attract the wrong type of attention -- please be very careful, but also have loads of fun. It is a great place and most Koreans are fantastic people. Go to the historic places when you have a chance. Be prepared for an urban-adventure and keep a sharp-eye open for chances to see the countryside. There are nice day-hikes above Uijongbu in the mountains and small forests.

Aaron the Ogre

Edited April 13, 2010 by the Ogre

[thatgirl1985]

I've packed some rolls of TP and wipes to get me started. LOL.

Will have to get a sturdier umbrella once I arrive. Would hate to have to my hair fall out from the acid rain! OUCH!

Thank you for the information and advice, guys! It will be heeded! : )

[rameumptom]

Most English speakers in Korea attend the Servicemen branches/wards. They are available at/near most American bases. You will also find Korean speaking branches and wards in most areas, as well.

[Finrock]

Good afternoon thatgirl1985! Welcome to the boards. It is a pleasure to meet you. :)

Hi,

I am moving to South Korea for a teaching job. In fact, I am flying out this week. YIKES

I have only recently begun exploring the Mormon faith and was hoping to continue to learn more while I am in South Korea. I understand that there are Church members in Korea. I will be living in Uijeongbu, which is a mid-sized city just north of Seoul.

How do I go about finding the LDS community in Korea? I am a native English speaker. In fact, I can't speak Korean worth a hoot. Obviously, I'll be teaching in English. LOL.

Are there English-language missionaries and church meetings?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Meghan

My little brother is currently stationed at Seoul South Korea. He is a member of the church and should know some info to help you out. I could ask him to see if he'd be interested in helping, if you like? I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping you to get assimilated.

Regards,

Finrock

[thatgirl1985]

Finrock,

That would be great if you could ask him which branch is for English speakers and where they all meet.

Thank you!

Meghan

[Finrock]

Good evening thatgirl1985! I hope you are doing well. :)

Finrock,

That would be great if you could ask him which branch is for English speakers and where they all meet.

Thank you!

Meghan

I sent an email to my brother. I'll let you know if and when he responds.

Regards,

Finrock

[thatgirl1985]

Just wanted to post an update! I kept telling myself that I would go into Seoul to the English service, but I haven't made the trip yet. I was scared I would get lost!

This evening I was walking on the street and saw two missionaries. I stopped them and asked them about finding an English service. They said there is one in Uijeongbu for the military, but that civilians can attend. I gave them my number and they promised to call me with more information.

The Holy Ghost is leading the way!

~Meghan

[Cherrytone22]

I am teaching at a summer camp and have my plane ticket, but I just found out that they will probably cut it a week short. So now I am looking for someplace in Seoul to stay. I can't afford a hotel for the week because I wasn't planning on this. Anyway, does anyone know of anyone or families that would be willing to let an LDS Girl stay at their place for a week. July 12-20, 2011? Or any of you who have been there for a while know of a place?

Any help or suggestions would be really great. Thanks so much!!

[rameumptom]

I suggest you check with the English speaking branch there. The army base at Seoul has an English branch, and I'm sure there are members who would be glad to assist you.

[classylady]

My oldest daughter teaches English in Inchon. She's LDS and has been other there for nearly three years now. She had the option of going to an English speaking ward, or a Native Korean ward. She opted for the Korean speaking ward. (That's not what I would have chosen, but she felt it was right for her). There are many English speaking missionaries over there, in fact my nephew just returned from serving a mission there.

I love the pictures my daughter sends home or posts on face book. My husband and I plan on going out to visit her early next year.

Good Luck!