South Korea
Presbyterian World mission partners with the Presbyterian Church of Korea, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, and the National Council of Churches in Korea in working in the country. Two mission co-workers live and work in Korea, and two regional liaisons serve in Korea as well.
We join Korea’s Christian community in a ministry that includes higher education and youth ministries, theological education, health ministries, women’s and children’s ministries, and peace education, reconciliation and reunification work.
About our work
Hyeyoung Lee and Kurt Esslinger
Kurt Esslinger and Hyeyoung Lee each have two roles as mission co-workers in South Korea. First, they both serve as Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) site coordinators for the Daejeon, Korea, site. The YAV site in South Korea is hosted on the campus of Presbyterian-related Hannam University. U.S. young adults live in Daejeon for a year at a time as YAVs and work with agencies such as children’s centers and soup kitchens to support the struggle against poverty, hunger, and homelessness. They share a YAV house together and reflect on what it means to live in an intentional community, in the midst of another culture, and on who God calls us to be, engaging the world around us.
You can read more about Hyeyoung and Kurt's ministry on their profile page, which can be found here.
Myung (Martin) and Jieun Kim Han
Serving with Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK), South Korea, Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK), South Korea, Amity Foundation in Nanjing, China, China Christian Council/Three-Self Patriotic Movement in China (CCC/TSPM), Japan Mission, United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ), National Christian Churches in Japan (NCCJ), Korean Christian Churches in Japan (KCCJ), Presbyterian Church of Taiwan.
You can read more about Myung and Jieun's ministry on their profile page, which can be found here.
Unzu Lee
Unzu Lee is the regional liaison for East Asia, focusing on Christian witness through ecumenical engagement in South Korea, North Korea, and Hong Kong. She provides support for partner churches, strengthens the work of mission personnel by providing guidance and pastoral care, and implements regional strategies. She works with the National Council of Churches in Korea in South Korea, the Korea Christian Federation in North Korea, the Hong Kong Christian Churches, and the Ecumenical Forum for Korea–a worldwide collaborative endeavor of Christians for Korea peace and reconciliation.
You can read more about Unzu's ministry on her profile page, which can be found here.
Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK)
Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)
South Korea Partner Organizations
Christian Literature Society
Hanil University and Theological Seminary
Hankuk Theological Seminary
Hannam University
Honam Theological Seminary
Keimyung University
Kwangju Christian Hospital
Margaret Pritchard School of Nursing
National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK)
Presbyterian Medical Center
Soongsil University
Yonsei University
Mission coworkers serving in the country:
Kurt Esslinger - kurt.esslinger@pcusa.org
Hyeyoung Lee - hyeyoung.lee@pcusa.org
Myung (Martin) Han - myung.han@pcusa.org
Jieun Kim Han - jieun.han@pcusa.org
Unzu Lee - unzu.lee@pcusa.org