UCAN Diocesan Profiles Series

Archdiocesan Officials
A. Ordinary of the Seoul Archdiocese
		Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk was born on Dec. 7, 1931 in Seoul. He was ordained a priest on March 18, 1961, and appointed Bishop of Cheongju on June 25, 1970. The episcopal ordination was on Oct. 3, 1970. He has been appointed Archbishop of Seoul since May 30, 1998. His installation was on June 29, 1998. He was also appointed Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang Diocese on June 6, 1998. Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to the rank of cardinal on March 24, 2006. Archbishop Cheong is a member of the four episcopal commissions of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK): the Episcopal Commission for Clergy and Religious, the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine, the Special Episcopal Commission for the Reconciliation of the Korean People and the Special Episcopal Commission to Promote Beatification and Canonization. He is the president of the Committee for Canonical Affairs of the CBCK and moderator of the Korean Foreign Mission Society and of the Catholic Catechetical Institute. Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2005 Fax: (82) 2-777-6660 Email: sect@seoul.catholic.or.kr *Previous Ordinaries* Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, LL.D., D.D.(1968-1998) Bishop Victorinus Youn Kong-hi (apostolic administrator), S.T.D., D.D. (1967-1968) Archbishop Paul Ro Ki-nam, D.D. (1942-1967) Bishop Adrien Larribeau, M.E.P., D.D. (1933-1942) Archbishop August Mutel, M.E.P., D.D. (1890-933) Bishop Jean M. Blanc, M.E.P., D.D. (1884-1890) Bishop Felix Ridel, M.E.P., D.D. (1869-1884) Bishop Antoine Dabeluy, M.E.P., D.D. (1866-1869) Bishop Simeon Berneux, M.E.P., D.D. (1854-1866) Bishop Jean Joseph Ferreol, M.E.P., D.D. (1843-1854) Bishop Laurent M. Imbert, M.E.P., D.D. (1836-1843) Bishop Barthelemy Bruguiere, M.E.P., D.D. (1831-1836) Retired bishops: Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, LL.D., D.D. Auxiliary Bishop Paul Kim Ok-kyun, D.D.
B. Other Archdiocesan Officials
		Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung was born on Dec. 5, 1943 in Anseong, Gyeonggi province. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 8, 1970, and was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul on Dec. 1, 2001. His episcopal ordination was on Jan. 25, 2002. Bishop Yeom is the vicar general and episcopal vicar for Pastoral and the Mass Media Apostolate of the archdiocese. He is a member of the Permanent Council and a member of the Episcopal Commission for Mission and Pastoral Care of the CBCK. He is also the president of the Committee for the Lay Apostolate. Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2007 Fax: (82) 2-757-2535 Email: ysj@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Lucas Kim Woon-hoe was born on Oct. 18, 1944, in Seoul. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 8, 1973, and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul on Sept. 13, 2002. His episcopal ordination was on Nov. 21, 2002. Bishop Kim is episcopal vicar for the Youth and Social Ministry Apostolate of the archdiocese. He is also a member of the Episcopal Commission for Mission and Pastoral Care, and the Special Episcopal Commission for the Reconciliation of the Korean People. He is also president of the Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People. Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2008 Fax: (82) 2-757-2535 Email: kas@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Basil Cho Kyu-man was born on June 8, 1955, in Busan. He was ordained a priest on Aug. 26, 1982, and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul on Jan. 3, 2006. His episcopal ordination was on Jan. 25, 2006. Bishop Cho has served as executive secretary of the CBCK and member of the Theological Committee of the Federation of the Asian Bishops' Conferences, and the International Theological Commission of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2008 Fax: (82) 2-757-2535 Email: bkmcho@cbck.or.kr
		Episcopal Vicar for Education and the Consecrated Life: Monsignor Francis Kim Byung-do Address: Peace B.D., 1451-34, Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 137-070 Phone: (82) 2-590-2302 Fax: (82) 2-590-2306 Email: kbdf@seoul.cathol.or.kr
		Episcopal Vicar for East Seoul Area: Monsignor Matthew Hwang In-kuk Address: 263-1, Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 143-806 Phone: (82) 2-453-7661 (2) Fax: (82) 2-453-6508 Email: chamjoo@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Episcopal Vicar for West Seoul Area: Monsignor Raphael Park Soon-jae Address: 905-3, Mok 5-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, 158-055 Phone: (82) 2-2654-2248 Fax: (82) 2-2654-2177 Email: rephael1@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Episcopal Vicar for Central Seoul Area: Monsignor Thomas Aquinas Ahn Kyung-ryul Address: 149-2, Jungrim-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-858 Phone: (82) 2-312-2670 Fax: (82) 2-312-2690 Email: kyahn@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Chancellor: Father Benedict Kwak Seong-min Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2021 Fax: (82) 2-773-1947 Email: kwakben@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Procurator: Father Joseph So Yoon-sup Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2211 Fax: (82) 2-771-0277 Email: acca@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Pastoral Director: Father Pius Min Byong-dok Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2060 Fax: (82) 2-771-7745 Email: mbdmbwpio@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Education Director: Father Joseph Kim Young-kook Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2090 Fax: (82) 2-755-7686 Email: didache@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Vocation Director: Father Nereus Kim Ja-mun Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2122 Fax: (82) 2-755-4019 Email: vaca@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Social Pastoral Director: Father Joseph Kim Yong-tae Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2234 Fax: (82) 2-754-5636 Email: kimyt@seoul.catholic.or.kr
		Communication Director: Father Mattias Hur Yeong-yup Address: 2-ga 1, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-809 Phone: (82) 2-727-2030 Fax: (82) 2-753-6006 Email: commu@seoul.catholic.or.kr

Statistics

A. Catholic Population

As of Dec. 31, 2004, Seoul archdiocese had 1,276,634 baptized Catholics, representing 12.4 percent of all 10,287,487 people in the territory. At that time, the archdiocese had 206 parishes with resident priests and 2 mission stations. During 2004, the archdiocese recorded 31,482 baptisms.

People in the Archdiocese

Baptized Catholics: 1,276,634, or 12.4 percent

Members of other Christian denominations: approximately 2,200,000, or 21 percent

Followers of non-Christian religions or cults (Buddhist, Won Buddhist and others): approximately 2,510,000, or 24.4 percent

People without religion: approximately 4,780,000, or 46.5 percent

B. Archdiocesan and Religious Priests

Diocesan priests: 600
Religious priests: 258 (226 Koreans, 32 foreigners)

C. Religious Brothers, Sisters

Religious Brothers: 296 (280 Koreans, 16 foreigners)
Religious Sisters: 2,290 (2,242 Koreans, 48 foreigners)

D. Lay Missionaries, Catechists

Catechists: 3,466 Sunday school teachers

E. Seminaries, Houses of Formation

Major seminary: College of Theology of the Catholic University of Korea
(Seoul seminary, Dean: Father Damasus Jeong Eui-cheol)
Houses of Formation: 7

Seoul Major Seminary

Archdiocesan Activities and Organizations

A. Major Archdiocesan Commissions and Organizations

Catholic Center in Seoul

Catholic Alcohol Pastoral Ministry Center

Catholic Internet Center

Catholic Urban Poor Pastoral Committee

Justice and Peace Committee

Korea Martyrs Exaltation Committee

Korea Reconciliation Committee

Labor Pastoral Commission

One Heart One Body Movement

Pastoral Committee for Ecology

Police Pastoral Commission

Post-Synod Committee

Research Center for Integral Pastoral Ministry

Seoul Catholic Youth Association

Social Correction Apostolate Committee

Special Committee for the Catholic Myeong-dong Development

B. Catholic Educational Institutions

	Schools	Students
Kindergarten	28	3,727
Primary School	1	624
Secondary School	4	3,820
Post-secondary Schools	4	18,518

C. Catholic Social Welfare

Medical Service: with 1,249 doctors and 1,645 nurses in 4 hospitals, 1 clinic, 5 charity clinics and 1 hospices

Welfare institutions: 22, including 12 multi social service centers and 10 welfare associations

Institutions for children: 30, including 3 orphanages, 12 day care centers and 15 home schools

Institutions for youth: 22, including 15 protective facilities, 2 home schools and 2 job training centers

Institutions for women: 11, including 9 protective facilities and 2 shelters

Institutions for the aged: 135, including 112 educational and recreational centers, 13 homes and 4 protective facilities

Institutions for the disabled: 24, including 13 protective facilities, 7 social service centers and 4 job training centers

Institutions for the homeless: 13, including 4 protective facilities and 9 facilities for free meal service

Sanatorium for tuberculosis patients: 1

Counseling centers: 6

D. Social Communications

Pyeonghwa Broadcasting building in Seoul

Communication Office of the Archdiocese of Seoul

Catholic Publishing House

Dasom Book Co.

Benedict Press

"Bible and Life" (monthly) Publishing Company

St. Pauls

St. Paul Publishing Company

Living with Scripture

Naechingudul (My Friends), monthly for low teens

Pyeonghwa (Peace) Broadcasting Corporation; cable TV and FM radio, and the Pyeonghwa Shinmun (weekly)

E. Other Church Organizations and Associations

Catholic Academy for Korean Culture

Catholic Association of Taxation Agency

Catholic Businessmen's Association of Seoul

Catholic Lawyers' Association

Catholic Lay Apostolate Council of Seoul

Catholic Nurses' Association

Catholic Secondary Schools' Association

Catholic Social Service

Catholic University Students' Association

Catholic Workers' Movement

Charismatic Renewal

Happy Family Movement

Institute for Catholic Religion and Culture

Korea Young Catholic Students

Korean Catholic Chaplain Support Association

Korean Martyrs Exaltation Committee of Seoul

Legion of Mary (Seoul Senatus)

Movement for a Better World

Pastoral Department of Youth Ministry of Seoul archdiocese

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

Research Institute for Korean Church History

Seoul Archdiocese Philippine Community Counseling Office

Seoul Catholic Women's Organization

Seoul Choice

St. Vincent De Paul Society

Sunday Primary School Teachers' Association

The Catholic Certified Public Brokers Society

The Center of Catholic Bible Life Movement

The Elder's College Association

The Holy Family Association

Young Christian Workers

Youth Charismatic Renewal Movement in Seoul

F. Retreat and Education Centers

Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine

Caritas Education Center

Chon Chin Sang Education Center

Congregation of Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres Education Center

Conventual Franciscan Retreat House

Don Bosco Social Communication Center

Family of Mary Center

Marist Education Center

Notre Dame Educational Center

Passionist House of Meditation

Salesian Center

Sangji Retreat Center

Seton Retreat House

St. Benedict Retreat House

Franciscan Education Center

The Blessed Korean Martyrs House of Retreat

Yangji Retreat and Education Center

Religious Congregations, Societies and Institutes

A. Religious Institutes of Men

Statue of Jesus in front of

Myongdong Cathedral in Seoul

Augustinians ~ AA

Brothers of Little Jesus

Claretian Missionaries ~ CMF

Clerical Congregation of the Blessed Korean Martyrs

Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer ~ CCsR

Consolata Missionaries ~ IMC

Divine Word Missionaries ~ SVD

Guadalupe Missioners ~ MG

Hospitaller Order of St. John of God

Joseph Benedictine Monastery

Korean Foreign Mission Society ~ KMS

Little Brothers of Jesus ~ LBJ

Marist Teaching Brothers ~ FMS

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers ~ MM

Missionaries Oblates ~ OMI

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ MSC

Missionary Brothers of Charity

Missionary Society of St. Columban ~ SSC

Order of Discalced Carmelite Fathers ~ OCD

Order of Friars Minor Capuchin ~ OFM

Order of Friars Minor Conventual ~ OFM Conv

Order of Friars Minor ~ OFM

Ordo Fratrum Praedicatorum ~ OP

Paris Foreign Mission Society ~ MEP

Passionists ~ CP

Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus ~ RCJ

Seoul Benedictine Monastery ~ OSB

Society of Christ

Society of Jesus ~ SJ

Society of Mary ~ SM

Society of St. Francis de Sales ~ SDB

Society of St. Paul ~ SSP

B. Religious Institutes of Women

Adorers of the Blood of Christ ~ ASC

Blessed Sacrament Sisters of Charity ~ BBS

Caritas Sisters ~ CSM

Carmelite Missionaries ~ CM

Congregation of Jesus ~ CJ

Bishops and priests in a Mass

at Myongdong Cathedral

Congregation of Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres ~ SPC

Congregation of the Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic ~ OP

Congregation of the Sacred Word ~ CSW

Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame ~ SND

Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul ~ DCSVP

Daughters of Divine Zeal ~ FDZ

Daughters of Mary Immaculate

Daughters of St. Paul ~ FSP

Disciples of the Divine Master

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary ~ FMM

Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi ~ SFMA

Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Service

Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart ~ SFSC

Good Shepherd Sisters ~ RGS

Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ SSCJ

Hospital Sisters of St. Francis ~ OHSF

Institute of the Catechists of Mary

Korean Foreign Mission Sisters ~ FMS

Little Company of Mary ~ LCM

Little Missionary Sisters

Little Servants of the Holy Family of Seoul

Little Sisters of the Poor ~ PSPD

Maryknoll Sisters ~ MM

Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Daegu Priory ~ OSB

Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Seoul Priory ~ OSB

Missionary Sisters of Immaculate Conception ~ RCM

Missionary Sisters of Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ MSC

Missionary Sisters of St. Columban

Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood

Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Busan ~ OSB

Order of Discalced Carmelites ~ OCD

Passionist Sisters ~ CP

Regalita di N.S.GESU

Salesian Sisters ~ FMA

Servants of Mary from Galeazza ~ OSM

Sisters Oblates of the Assumption ~ OA

Sisters of Charity of Nevers

Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill ~ SC

Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul of Suwon

Sisters of Christian Doctrine ~ DC

Sisters of Divine Providence ~ CDP

Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ FMI

Sisters of Jesus ~ SJN

Sisters of Little Jesus

Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Sisters of Our Lady of the Consolation ~ NSC

Sisters of Palma of Blessed Korean Martyrs

Sisters of Prado

Sisters of the Good Shepherd ~ RGS

Sisters of the Holy Spirits of Samsungsan

Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Mirinae ~ IHMM

Sisters of the Korean Martyrs

Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ RSCJ

The Fraternity of the Little Sisters of Jesus

The Mission Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit ~ SSPS

The Sisters of Mary

General Characteristics of the Archdiocese

The archdiocesan territory covers Seoul, an area of 605 square kilometers, and Hwanghae province, an area of 16,744 square kilometers in North Korea. The ecclesiastical region of Seoul comprises the Metropolitan Seoul archdiocese with suffragan dioceses of Chunchon, Daejeon, Incheon, Suwon, Uijeongbu and Wonju. Pyongyang and Hamhung dioceses and the Territorial Abbacy of Tokwon, all in North Korea, are its suffragans.

In 1992, Seoul archdiocese introduced the Small Christian Community (SCC) movement by Cardinal Stephen Kim, then Archbishop of Seoul. At that time, then Auxiliary Bishop Kang Woo-il said, each of Seoul's parishes had about 7,000 Catholics but about 90 percent lacked strong parish ties and felt alienated. To deal with the matter, the archdiocese chose the SCC model as the core of its evangelization in the new millennium. The archdiocese fit the SCC concept into its parish district system, in which every parishioner belongs to one SCC in principle. Through SCCs, laypeople can play a more active role and meet regularly to reflect on the Gospel, and Church and social concerns.

Located in the center of the Korean peninsula, Seoul has been the capital city of Korea since the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) moved its capital to Seoul in 1394. The name "Seoul" comes from the ancient word "Seorabeol" or "Seobeol," meaning "capital."

Seoul is a hub of the national economy, playing a key role in the free flow of national resources and capital. The vast majority of head and branch offices of large business groups and multinational corporations are all concentrated in Seoul. According to the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Korea, the per capita income of South Korea was US$14,162 as of December 2004.

Training course for SCC leaders

Since South Korea introduced the local self-government system in 1995, the people of Seoul elect their own mayor and city council members. The Mayor of the Seoul Metropolitan Government belongs to the Grand National Party. Out of 102 members of Seoul Metropolitan Council, 86 belong to the Grand National Party (GNP), the main national opposition party; 7 to Uri Party, the national ruling party; 8 to Millennium Democratic Party, a small opposition party; and 1 to the Democratic Labor Party.

In Seoul, radios and many national and local TV stations are available. Most families are also equipped with telephone and ultra high-speed Internet. Most individuals have mobile phones.

Seoul's transportation infrastructure is well equipped. The railway system transports people all over the nation and express train lines (KTX) carry people to Busan and Gwangju within three hours. Also, eight lines of subway cover all of the city and Seoul's public bus system is well known for its convenience. There is a domestic airport in Gimpo, which occasionally operates as an international airport.

Population
The population in Seoul at the end of 2004 was 10,287,487, 21 percent of the population of the whole country of 49,052,988 people. Most residents are ethnic Koreans, and there were about 100,000 foreigners .

Climate
Seoul falls within the temperate zone and has the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. The yearly average temperature of Seoul is 12.2 degrees Celsius. The annual precipitation averages 1,344.2 millimeters. Most of the rainfall is concentrated in the rainy months (monsoon period) of June through September.

Topography
Seoul is surrounded by mountains such as the Bukhan Mountain in the north, Gwanak Mountain in the South and Namsan (South Mountain) in the center of the city. The Han River crosses the city dividing the it in two.

Language
Standard Korean is in use. English, a mandatory subject in schools, is spoken and understood in business and tourist areas. All traffic signs are in English, Chinese and Korean.

The website of the Seoul Archdiocese is available (in Korean) at: http://www.catholic.or.kr

Photos of the archdiocesan ordinary and officials courtesy of the Communications Office of the Seoul Archdiocese.

< Last updated on: April 7, 2006 >