History of Rotary in South Korea

Part of our History of Rotary in Asia Section

See also Korean Districts - D3650

The Rotary movement in Korea was triggered by the Kyoungsoeng Rotary Club (Rotary Club of Keijo)'s being a member of Rotary International, on November 10th in 1927.
Following that, Pusan Rotary Club joined the RI in 1935, Pyoungyang Rotary Club in 1937, and Taegu Rotary Club in 1938.

Their activities had continued until the Second World War broke out.
In Seoul, there was a meeting, Suyohoi (Wednesday meeting) in the form of dining.

In fact, Rotary Clubs, before the liberation, were not Korean considering Koreans were in the minority and Japanese almost took the steer over the administration and overall activities.
After the unconditional surrender by Japan in 1945, the Rotary movement was given a good chance for a quantum leap forward.

In 1949, the first Kyoungseong Rotary Club was born again as Seoul Rotary Club.
Pusan Rotary Club and Taegu Rotary Club were both also rebuilt.

In the 1950's, many new clubs were approved by RI including Hanyang Rotary Club, Inchoen Rotary Club, Southern Seoul Rotary Club and Choenju Rotary Club.

From that time, the Korean Rotary movement is said to have reached its main orbit.
In the meanwhile, the Rotary International Board of Directors decided to approve an independent district in Korea.

According to that approval, the first District 365 was constructed in 1961.
After the district construction, the Korean Rotary movement made great progress in the number of clubs and Rotarians both.

To accommodate the big booming, it was necessary to divide the district.

As of 1989, there were 11 districts in Korea.
In the spring of 1989, the 80th Rotary International Convention was held successfully in Seoul, where 38,878 Rotarians from 86 countries took part.

The event was a significant chance to show the capability of Korean Rotary.
According to the policy of RI, the district number was changed from 3 digits to 4 digits in 1991.

Korean Rotary is now Zone 9 and has the right to designate a director every 4 years.

Status of Korean Rotary

Rotarians	43,452
Clubs	1,011
Districts	16
Rotaract Clubs	191
Interact Clubs	350
PHF/Benefactors	28,561/1,193

The Korea Rotary Scholarship and Culture Foundation was established on February 26, 1973 with the approval of
the minister of culture and education for the purpose of nurturing human resources and cultural projects that
are loyal to the Rotary spirit and can contribute to development of Korea.
The Foundation supports tuition, research, and study abroad and runs cultural and other projects for profit.
So far the activities were focused on supporting school tuition, but the basis for strengthening cultural
activities is already in place. The basic purpose of the Korea Rotary Scholarship and Culture Foundation
is to establish an independent project where the Rotarians of Korea can strengthen their unity and
cooperation through common activities.

General Scholarship
Four-year college student 2Million won/yr
Two-year college student 1Million won/yr
High school student 500,000 won/yr

The Korea Rotary Scholarship and Culture Foundation operates a scholarship program for foreigners wishing to study in Korea. Each district selects one recipient who receives 6 Million won a year. The number of recipients will increase in the future. District 3650 also provides living expenses besides the scholarship by designating a sponsor club.
Those interested in this scholarship should contact one of the 16 districts offices in Korea.

The RI Board agrees that all RI and Rotary Foundation publications, audiovisuals and correspondence, including those prepared for the International Assembly and Convention should be translated into Korean effective 1 July 1997
And the Board authorizes the General Secretary to increase staff in the RI Korean translation section from two to five translators, at an annual estimated cost of US$ 117,000.

The rapid growth of Rotary membership in Korea, with 40,521 Rotarians in 968 clubs in 16 districts may warrant providing such service. With the anticipated creation of a 17th districts on 1 July 1997, the number of Rotarians in Korea is rapidly approaching the number of French-speaking Rotarians in France(34,065) and other countries worldwide (45,000 in total)

Official Languages of RI : English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean

acknowledgements to the Districts, Clubs and Webmaster
posted by RGHF Webmaster Greg Barlow. January 2009

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