Top Religious Organizations in South Korea
Religious organizations in South Korea play a vital role in fostering community, spiritual growth, and cultural traditions. Whether you’re seeking worship services, counseling, or community events, these trusted institutions offer guidance and support across the country.
South Korea is home to a diverse range of religious groups, including Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous faiths. Temples, churches, and centers provide spaces for worship, meditation, and social outreach, often blending modern practices with deep-rooted traditions.
When choosing a religious organization, consider proximity, denomination, and community involvement. Many Seoul-based groups, like those near Jongno or Gangnam, offer multilingual services, while rural temples provide serene retreats. Look for established groups with active programs and positive member feedback.
- Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism – The largest Buddhist order in South Korea, founded in 1910, known for its serene temples like Jogyesa in Seoul and rigorous meditation programs. Offers temple stays and cultural experiences for visitors.
Website: www.jogyesa.kr
Contact: (02) 768-8600, info@jogyesa.kr
Address: 55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Myeongdong Cathedral – A historic Roman Catholic landmark in Seoul since 1898, serving as the spiritual center for Korean Catholics. Known for its Gothic architecture and social justice initiatives.
Website: www.mdsd.or.kr
Contact: (02) 774-1784, mdcathedral@catholic.or.kr
Address: 74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul - Yoido Full Gospel Church – One of the world’s largest Pentecostal congregations, established in 1958. Offers dynamic worship services in multiple languages near the Han River.
Website: www.fgtv.com
Contact: (02) 780-1114, yfgc@fgtv.com
Address: 15 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul - Bongeunsa Temple – A 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple in Gangnam offering temple stays, lotus lantern festivals, and urban meditation programs. Features a 23-meter Maitreya statue.
Website: www.bongeunsa.org
Contact: (02) 3218-4800, bongeunsa@bongeunsa.org
Address: 531 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul - Seoul Central Mosque – The first Islamic mosque in Korea, established in 1976. Serves the Muslim community with daily prayers, halal certification, and cultural education in Itaewon.
Website: www.koreanmuslim.or.kr
Contact: (02) 793-6908, koreanmuslim@gmail.com
Address: 732-21 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul - Cheondogyo Central Temple – Headquarters of the indigenous Korean Cheondogyo faith, blending Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist elements. Known for its role in Korea’s independence movement.
Website: www.cheondogyo.or.kr
Contact: (02) 735-1650, cheondogyo@cheondogyo.or.kr
Address: 16-12 Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Saemoonan Church – Korea’s first Presbyterian church (1887), located near City Hall. Offers traditional services and operates a respected theological institute.
Website: www.saemoonan.or.kr
Contact: (02) 732-5941, saemoonan@saemoonan.or.kr
Address: 18 Saemunan-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Won Buddhism Headquarters – Modern Korean Buddhist movement founded in 1916, combining meditation with social service. Main temple located in Iksan with branches nationwide.
Website: www.wonbuddhism.org
Contact: (063) 859-5000, webmaster@wonbuddhism.org
Address: 344-2 Wirye-ro, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do - Jeondong Catholic Cathedral – Historic cathedral in Jeonju, built on the site of Korea’s first Catholic martyrdoms. Known for its Byzantine-Romanesque architecture and pilgrimage tours.
Website: www.jeondong.or.kr
Contact: (063) 284-3222, jeondong@catholic.or.kr
Address: 51 Taejo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si - Haeinsa Temple – UNESCO-listed Buddhist monastery in Gaya Mountains, housing the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks. Offers deep meditation retreats in natural surroundings.
Website: www.haeinsa.or.kr
Contact: (055) 934-3000, haeinsa@haeinsa.or.kr
Address: 122 Haeinsa-gil, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do - Seonggyungwan Confucian Academy – Korea’s foremost Confucian institution since 1398, maintaining traditional rituals and scholarship in central Seoul.
Website: www.skkok.or.kr
Contact: (02) 760-1255, skkok@skkok.or.kr
Address: 53 Myeongnyun-dong 3-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Gwangju Catholic University – Major Catholic educational institution operating since 1954, with a basilica and active social welfare programs in Gwangju.
Website: www.gjcatholic.ac.kr
Contact: (062) 650-6114, webmaster@gjcatholic.ac.kr
Address: 165 Yeomju-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju - Bulguksa Temple – Iconic Silla-era Buddhist temple in Gyeongju, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Offers cultural programs and mountain meditation paths.
Website: www.bulguksa.or.kr
Contact: (054) 746-9913, bulguksa@bulguksa.or.kr
Address: 385 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do - Seoul Anglican Cathedral – Center of Korean Anglican Communion since 1926, known for its English services and Gothic revival architecture near Deoksugung Palace.
Website: www.sacathedral.or.kr
Contact: (02) 738-9584, sacathedral@sk.com
Address: 3 Seosomun-ro 7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul - Daeheungsa Temple – Historic Zen Buddhist temple in South Jeolla Province, surrounded by tea fields. Offers “temple food” culinary experiences and mountain hiking.
Website: www.daeheungsa.co.kr
Contact: (061) 535-5775, daeheungsa@hanmail.net
Address: 400 Daeheungsa-gil, Samsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do - Jeju Samseonghyeol Shrine – Sacred site of Jeju’s indigenous creation myth, honoring the island’s three legendary founders. Hosts annual cultural festivals.
Website: www.samseonghyeol.org
Contact: (064) 722-3315, samseonghyeol@jeju.go.kr
Address: 22 Samseonghyeol-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do - Seoul Union Church – International interdenominational church serving expatriates since 1921, offering English worship in Hannam-dong.
Website: www.seoulunion.org
Contact: (02) 793-1870, office@seoulunion.org
Address: 123-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul - Beomeosa Temple – Ancient mountain temple in Busan, founded in 678 CE. Known for its martial arts training and panoramic city views.
Website: www.beomeosa.co.kr
Contact: (051) 508-3122, beomeosa@beomeosa.co.kr
Address: 250 Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan - Korean Christian University – Leading Protestant higher education institution since 1958, with ecumenical programs and community outreach in Gangbuk.
Website: www.kcu.ac
Contact: (02) 910-4114, webmaster@kcu.ac
Address: 123 Yangji-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul - Gimje Geumsansa Temple – Major temple complex in North Jeolla, famous for its golden Buddha statue and lotus pond festivals each summer.
Website: www.geumsansa.org
Contact: (063) 548-4441, geumsansa@buddhism.org
Address: 1 Geumsan-ri, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do
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