A network of 15 language institutes throughout South Korea, offering conversational English, Japanese, Russian, and Bible, operated by the Korean Union Conference.
Dean Hubbard established the first institute in September 1969 in Seoul, and a second in Pusan in 1971. Maurice Bascom, who originated Adventist English Language Institutes in the Far East, opened the third in Kwangju in 1973. David Scofield added three more: Young Dong, Taegu, and Taejeon. Since Han Sang Woo became director in 1986, nine institutes have been added: Nam Young, Suhmyun, Incheon, Chun Cheon, Chungu, Cheju, Shil Lin Cheon Ju, and Taegunambu.
A Korean director manages the general operation of the institutes, while Western missionaries oversee the curriculum and other volunteer concerns. In 1993, 113 volunteers from five continents were teaching a total of nearly 10,000 students comprised primarily of university students and some businesspersons. Student missionaries were the first volunteers; today 65 percent are graduates.
Evangelism is conducted largely through Bible classes and Bible studies. Other methods include conducting vespers, Sabbath school and church services, chapel meetings, evangelistic series, and children’s Bible schools on Sabbath afternoons. Two language institute students were baptized in 1970, and the number has increased steadily throughout the years. In 1992 a record 260 students were baptized, for a total of 2,730.
Many of the converts study theology and enter the ministry, becoming pastors of local churches or chaplains at Seventh-day Adventist Language Institutes or at Korean Sahmyook University. Others serve as student missionaries to China, Russia, and the Philippines. Seventh-day Adventist Language Institutes, Korea, also operates an elementary school on the grounds of Seoul Adventist Hospital for the children of Western missionaries.
Directors: Dean Hubbard, 1969–1971; Maurice Bascom, 1971–1974; David Scofield, 1975–1986; Han Sang Woo, 1986– .