Korean Bible Society

Overview

The Korean Bible Society is a nondenominational nonprofit foundation devoted to translating, publishing, and distributing the Bible. It is not affiliated with any single denomination; instead, multiple denominations take part in its work. It is a member of the United Bible Societies (UBS), a fellowship of Bible societies from many countries. It has published several Korean translations in wide use among Korean churches, including the New Korean Revised Version, the Revised New Korean Standard Version, and the Common Translation Bible.

Founding and History

Korean Bible translation was begun in the 1870s by John Ross together with Seo Sang-ryun and others. In the late 1880s, as missionaries such as Horace Underwood and Henry Appenzeller were active in Korea, a missionary-led Bible committee was formed. In 1895 the British and Foreign Bible Society decided to establish a Korea branch in Seoul, and this branch marks the beginning of the Korean Bible Society. The society celebrated its centennial in 1995.

• 1898: Publication of the first Old Testament translation, Sipyeon Chwaryo (Selections from the Psalms)
• 1900: Publication of the Sinyak Jeonseo (Complete New Testament)
• 1911: Publication of the Seonggyeong Jeonseo (Complete Bible), the first edition to combine the Old and New Testaments (commonly called the "Old Version")
• 1938: Publication of the Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok)
• Early 1940s: The Korean (Joseon) Bible Society closed as the Japanese colonial authorities tightened their control over the churches
• 1947: Reestablished as an incorporated foundation after liberation; in 1948 the board of directors changed its name to the "Korean Bible Society"
• 1952 (first edition) and 1961 (revised edition): Publication of the Korean Revised Version, Hangul Edition (Gaeyeok Hangeulpan)
• 1977: Publication of the Common Translation Bible
• 1993: Publication of the New Korean Standard Version (Pyojun Saebeonyeok)
• 1998: Publication of the New Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Gaejeongpan)
• 2001: Publication of a revised edition of the New Korean Standard Version (now known as the Saebeonyeok, or Revised New Korean Standard Version)

Until 1979 the society received financial support from the United Bible Societies. In 1980 it declared financial independence and began supporting Bible work in other countries.

Principal Activities

• Translation: Producing new Korean translations of the Bible and revising existing ones.
• Publishing: Publishing the Korean Bible not only in print but also in digital formats such as mobile apps. At the request of Bible societies and translation organizations around the world, it also publishes Bibles in more than 1,000 languages.
• Donation: Producing Bibles and sending them free of charge to countries where Bibles are difficult to obtain for political, religious, or economic reasons. Korean denominations and churches often cover the costs and jointly hold dedication ceremonies for these donations.
• Engagement: Developing resources and programs that help readers understand the Bible more easily and apply it to their lives.

Member Denominations

Multiple denominations participate in the Korean Bible Society. Known participating denominations include The Salvation Army Korea Territory, the Korean Methodist Church, the Korea Evangelical Holiness Church, the Lutheran Church in Korea, the Korea Baptist Convention, the Anglican Church of Korea, the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap), the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea.

Assessment

The Korean Bible Society has played a central role in enabling many Korean churches, despite their denominational differences, to use the same Bible translations. The Common Translation Bible is known as a translation produced jointly with the Catholic Church. Debates within the Korean church community over the choice of translation are covered in the article Bible translation controversies.