When Cardinal Kim, the archbishop of Seoul at the time, met Brother Roger in Hong Kong in 1977, he asked for brothers to come and live in Seoul “to help young people to deepen their faith.” The first brothers arrived in Seoul in 1979­–1980 and others joined them later.

Korea had experienced a terrible civil war between 1950 and 1953, which left deep wounds. It remains divided, with two countries separated by a totally closed border.

The churches in Korea are very active; 30% of the population identify themselves as Christian. The brothers live in a small house in Seoul, less than 50 kilometers from the border with the North. Considering that their life should be above all a “hidden presence” of prayer and service, a small parable of community, the brothers have developed a variety of activities according to the possibilities of each one.

The brothers animate a “prayer for peace” the second Friday of the month at the Anglican cathedral of Seoul, in the city center. Brothers sometimes lead prayers or retreats in different churches. For many years, one of the brothers had a pastoral activity with prisoners and with the dying. One of the brothers taught in a Catholic university; he also translated many volumes of poetry and contemporary Korean novels into English. Another brother works with a nonprofit organization for social healing and international solidarity, building bridges between cultures, religions and generations. The songs of Taizé are sung everywhere in Korea. The community has sometimes been able to send aid from France for the most vulnerable in North Korea. Many young Koreans pass through Taizé during journeys or longer stays in Europe. (version June 2025)