| Seoul Korea Temple | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Interactive map of Seoul Korea Temple | ||||
| Number | 37 | |||
| Dedication | 14 December 1985, byGordon B. Hinckley | |||
| Site | 1 acre (0.40 ha) | |||
| Floor area | 28,057 sq ft (2,606.6 m2) | |||
| Height | 112 ft (34 m) | |||
| Official website •News & images | ||||
| Church chronology | ||||
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| Additional information | ||||
| Announced | 1 April 1981, bySpencer W. Kimball | |||
| Groundbreaking | 9 May 1983, byMarvin J. Ashton | |||
| Open house | 26 November 26 – 7 December 1985 | |||
| Designed by | Church A&E Services and Komerican Architects | |||
| Location | Seoul, South Korea | |||
| Geographic coordinates | 37°33′32.24519″N126°55′52.68360″E / 37.5589569972°N 126.9313010000°E /37.5589569972; 126.9313010000 | |||
| Exterior finish | Granite exterior | |||
| Temple design | Modern adaptation of six-spire design | |||
| Baptistries | 1 | |||
| Ordinance rooms | 4 | |||
| Sealing rooms | 3 | |||
| Visitors' center | yes | |||
| (edit) | ||||
TheSeoul Korea Temple (Korean: 한국 서울 성전) is the 37th operatingtemple ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located inSeoul,South Korea, the temple was announced on April 1, 1981, bychurch presidentSpencer W. Kimball. It was the first temple constructed on the Asian mainland and the fourth built in Asia overall.[1] Ground was broken on May 9, 1983, under the direction ofMarvin J. Ashton of theQuorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the temple was dedicated on December 14–15, 1985, byGordon B. Hinckley in six sessions. During the public open house held in late 1985, more than 12,000 people toured the building.
The temple was announced by church president Spencer W. Kimball on April 1, 1981, during a press conference held onTemple Square.[1] At the time, South Korea had about 20,000 members, though only around 100 had received theirendowment and just 20 couples had beensealed.[1] On May 9, 1983, Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the groundbreaking ceremony.[1]
Earlier milestones in Korea's church history set the stage for a temple:Joseph Fielding Smith, of the Quorum of the Twelve, dedicated the land of Korea for preaching on August 2, 1955; full-timemissionaries arrived in 1956; and the country’s firststake was organized on March 8, 1973.[2][3] In 1970, mission leaders secured permission for church members from Korea to travel to theLaie Hawaii Temple for ordinances.[4]Spencer J. Palmer, asmission president beginning in 1965, directed the purchase of the Shinch’on property where the temple was later built.[5]
Initial plans called for a smaller temple, but due to the sacrifices of Korean members, the design was revised and enlarged three times, requiring the demolition of an existing mission office andmeetinghouse.[6]
Following completion of construction, a public open house was held November 26 to December 7, 1985, with about 12,500 people touring the temple.[1] The dedication followed over six sessions by Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in theFirst Presidency,[1] on December 14–15, 1985.
After the temple was dedicated, a subway system was built in conjunction with the1988 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 todaySinchon Station on theSeoul Subway Line 2. This station is located near four major South Korean universities:Yonsei University,Hongik University,Ewha Womans University, andSogang University.
The temple has a modern six-spire design, developed by church architectural staff with the local firm Komerican Architects. Calvin Wardell was the construction adviser, and Woo Chang was the contractor.[7] The temple is on a one-acre hillside plot in central Seoul.[1][7] Landscaping includes shrubs, bushes, and a fountain at the entrance.[1][7]
The building measures 178 feet by 71 feet, with the exterior using native Korean granite, with six spires. The tallest spire rises to 112 feet and has anangel Moroni statue on its top,[7] symbolizing therestoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.[8] The temple’s floor area totals 28,057 square feet. It includes abaptistry, fourordinance rooms, and threesealing rooms.[1][7]
The church's temples are directed by atemple president and matron, each typically serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[9] Serving from 1985 to 1988, Robert H. Slover was the first president, with Rosemarie W. Slover serving as matron.[10][11] As of September 2025, Taegul Jung is the president and Mikyung Kim is the matron.[12] Notable temple presidents includeSpencer J. Palmer (1988-1990).[10]
Like all the church's temples, it is not used forSunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a currenttemple recommend can enter for worship.[1][13]
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