Korean Version (Link)
The dedication of senior missionary couples serving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is deeply inspiring local congregations and members across Korea. In the Busan Mission and the Seoul South Mission, couples from diverse backgrounds are serving faithfully in a variety of assignments. Six senior missionary couples share the experiences and testimonies that led them to answer the call to serve.
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Elder Haeryong Hyung and Sister Kyungae Kim2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Haeryong Hyung and Sister Kyungae Kim
(Busan Stake, Myungji Branch)
After living as immigrants for 44 years in Chatsworth, California, Elder Haeryong Hyung and Sister Kyungae Kim were called to serve as senior missionaries in the Busan Mission, beginning January 21, 2026, for an 18‑month assignment.
During her years abroad, Sister Kim underwent three major surgeries - experiences that gave her a deep awareness of the fragility of life. “I wanted to use the time the Lord had given me in service before it was too late,” she shared, explaining how that realization led them to apply as senior missionaries.
Though all four of their children and eleven grandchildren live in the United States, Elder and Sister Hyung moved to the Myungji Branch of the Busan Stake with the understanding and support of their family. After a season of prayerful consideration, they submitted their missionary application, believing that “missionary work is something anyone can do if they have the desire.” They now serve as senior missionaries in the Busan Stake, dedicating their efforts primarily to supporting leaders and members in the Changwon Stake.
Building on decades of faith and life experience abroad, their new calling has become a source of encouragement to many members, standing as an example of devotion and obedience.
The couple treasures the scripture: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). They expressed a heartfelt desire “to be used in the Lord’s hands with humility,” hoping to bless others through the experiences they have gained throughout life.
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Elder Sanggeun Yoon and Sister Eunsook Kim2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Sanggeun Yoon and Sister Eunsook Kim
(Seoul Stake, Sindang Ward)
Elder Sanggeun Yoon and Sister Eunsook Kim were called to serve as senior missionaries in the Busan Mission beginning in January 2026, responding to a long‑held desire to devote their lives to serving God. Taking to heart the counsel found in Doctrine and Covenants section 4, they chose faith over fear as they answered the Lord’s call.
Inspired by the example of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, they decided to trust the Lord and move forward even before everything felt fully prepared.
As Elder Yoon concluded a 40‑year career as a public servant in education, the couple naturally began preparing for missionary service as the next chapter of their lives. A sense of regret about not serving as full‑time missionaries in their youth also became an important motivation. The fact that all four of their children had served missions provided strength and reassurance, enabling them to move forward with the full support of their family.
After receiving their call, the couple felt keenly of their own limitations and turned increasingly to the scriptures and general conference teachings. In particular, they reflected often on President Russell M. Nelson’s counsel to “strengthen your spiritual foundations,” seeking to solidify their faith and testimony through this period of service.
They testified that “this calling comes from the Lord and is the most important work we can do at this stage of our lives,” pledging to serve faithfully by following the example of Jesus Christ.
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Elder Samkwon Jung and Sister Ilsim Kang2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Samkwon Jung and Sister Ilsim Kang
(Washington Federal Way Stake, Mount Rainier Korean Branch)
While living in the Seattle area, Elder Samkwon Jung and Sister Ilsim Kang were called to serve in the Busan Mission and are currently serving in the Suncheon District of Jeollanam‑do. The couple previously served as Seoul Temple missionaries in 2019 and have continued their dedication through ongoing temple service.
Their apprehension on how they would manage their home and daily life in the United States was the greatest concern when deciding to serve again. With the willing help of their children, this challenge was resolved. Through this experience, the couple recalled a patriarchal blessing that had promised they would one day participate in missionary work through their children. What they once could not fully understand became clear as they recognized that the Lord had prepared the way long in advance. They came to feel deeply that this calling was not theirs alone, but one embraced by their entire family.
After receiving missionary training at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Utah, they began serving in the Suncheon District, which includes Suncheon, Yeosu, and Gwangyang. The assignment carried special meaning, as their youngest daughter had served there as a young missionary from 2007 to 2008.
Despite cold late‑January weather, they were warmly welcomed by local members and expressed deep gratitude for the unity they have felt while serving together. Their service includes ministering to less‑active members, participating in discussions with young missionaries, supporting English conversation classes, and assisting youth programs. They have been especially touched by the devotion of members who care for youth with parental love and faith, and they find great joy in supporting those efforts.
They hold close the words, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21), and “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15), striving to fulfill their roles faithfully as instruments in God’s hands.
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Elder Samgon Park and Sister Hyeran Lee2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Samgon Park and Sister Hyeran Lee
(Gyeonggi Stake, Sinpung Ward)
Following a long‑held aspiration, Elder Samgon Park and Sister Hyeran Lee completed Missionary Training Center instruction in February 2026 and are now serving in the Namwon Branch of the Jeonju Stake in the Seoul South Mission.
They had set a goal to serve a mission once all five of their children had been sealed in the temple. After their youngest child’s temple marriage, they fulfilled that aspiration. A particular message from the October 2023 general conference became the decisive catalyst for their application:
“We are grateful to you seniors for the lives you have led and the examples you have been in your homes, wards, and stakes. I now invite you to take your know-how, coupled with your time-honored testimonies, and go on a mission.”
-Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “How Great Will Be Your Joy”
The couple shared that they serve not because their contribution is great or exceptional, but because they hope “to be small instruments in the Lord’s hands.” Out of gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and love for the Savior, they strive to serve diligently each day.
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Elder Sangseob Kim and Sister Kyungsuk Kim2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Sangseob Kim and Sister Kyungsuk Kim
(Gyeonggi Stake, Sinpung Ward)
Elder Sangseob Kim and Sister Kyungsuk Kim were called to serve for one year beginning in February 2026 in the Seoul South Mission.
After many years of Church activity in Midland, Michigan, the couple returned to Korea following extended prayer and covenants made to the Lord in their youth. Having been unable to serve as full‑time missionaries earlier in life, they promised that they would serve one day after retirement - a promise they faithfully kept.
Following retirement in 2024, they began earnest preparations and were called as MLS senior missionaries to support local leaders, members, and missionaries. Sister Kim, who worked for many years as a nurse in the United States, also completed specialized training under the direction of the North Asia Area Presidency and now serves concurrently as a mission nurse, caring for the health of missionaries in the Seoul South Mission.
Their faithful fulfillment of long‑held promises has touched many members and stands as a powerful example of devotion and testimony.
They have adopted Alma 37:37 as their guiding scripture:
“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good…that he may watch over you…let thy heart be full of thanks unto God.” (see Alma 37:37).
Guided by this counsel, they strive to consult with the Lord in every aspect of their service, living each day with gratitude and trust.
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Elder Bonchul Koo and Sister Youngmi Kang2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Bonchul Koo and Sister Youngmi Kang
(Gyeonggi Stake, Icheon Ward)
Since October 2025, Elder Bonchul Koo and Sister Youngmi Kang have been serving in the Suwon area (Sinpung, Gokbanjeong, and Singal Wards) of the Gyeonggi Stake in the Seoul South Mission.
Over the years, the couple has served in many callings, including bishopric and stake presidency assignments. During a two‑year period as visiting scholars at Utah State University, they were able to deepen their gospel understanding and strengthen their testimonies. Their desire to serve as senior missionaries began to grow in 2015 while Elder Koo served as branch president in Gangneung.
At that time, the loving service of an American senior missionary couple - the Swager family from Los Angeles - helped unify a struggling branch. Their example made the branch feel like Zion and planted the seed of a future desire to serve as senior missionaries themselves.
After retirement, they applied for missionary service and received their call in October 2025 from then‑President Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They serve through the home‑based senior missionary program, allowing them to remain in their own home while traveling to minister in nearby units. They expressed gratitude for this program, noting that it allows service without relocation and with fewer financial burdens.
Their primary focus is supporting members and leaders by visiting wards, comforting those facing challenges, assisting elderly members in their faith, reactivating less‑active members, and participating in discussions with young missionaries.
Elder Koo and Sister Kang shared that “serving as missionaries has united us as a couple with a single gospel purpose, and through that process our understanding of one another has grown deeper.” They testified that this work is the Lord’s work and that this season of service has become another cherished chapter in their faith journey.
They especially love the scripture:
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid…Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:2–3).
Finding strength in the Lord’s constant care, they continue to serve with joy and gratitude.