Lighting the Way in Korea and Taiwan—The Revelation’s Next Frontier

By Mo Siegel, president, Urantia Foundation, Colorado, United States

Editor’s Note: Mo and Tamara Strumfeld traveled to Seoul for the official launch of the second printing of the Korean translation of The Urantia Book, 유란시아서. The first 5,000 copies, printed in 2000, finally sold out earlier this year. Urantia Foundation is very grateful to Mrs. Park, who distributed 4,000 copies to bookstores and individuals over the course of more than 20 years. The last 1,000 copies were distributed by our new team, and we are confident that they will ensure the new books will reach people seeking the truth found within the pages of the fifth epochal revelation. While traveling in East Asia, Mo and Tamara made a visit to Taiwan to reconnect with friends they made last March.

A Dream Awakens in the East

In more than 60 years of travel to over 100 countries, few experiences have moved me as deeply as our recent journey to Korea and Taiwan, our second visit to the region in the last two years. What we witnessed there felt like the beginning of something historic—the awakening of the revelation in East Asia.

To carry The Urantia Book and the unadulterated teachings of Jesus into a region that has long turned away from institutional religion and Christianity was nothing short of miraculous. Over 1.5 billion souls live in East Asia, and now the seeds of a new revelation are taking root.

Korea: Gateway to East Asia

Our journey began in Seoul, where Tamara and I met Mrs. Roda and Hye Jin Suh—the devoted team that placed 1,000 copies of the first Korean printing into readers’ hands, and will now lead distribution of the newly revised second edition. By strengthening on-the-ground logistics—warehousing, pricing, and channels—they are building the practical framework that puts books into seekers’ hands and sets the stage for the Spirit’s quiet work.

We met with local readers who were delighted to see—for the first time—the newly revised second edition of the Korean translation, complete with an improved dust jacket and refined language. Kwan Choi, the translator and reviser, presented the updates on the new edition. It was a special joy to have Kwan and his wife Kathy join us from the United States.

Longtime friends of the Foundation, including David Kim and Byung Seo, were in attendance, as was Cultural Advisory Council member Jisoo Han. Our warm thanks to all the readers who welcomed us with such gracious hospitality, friendship, and delicious homemade food.

While in Seoul, we visited our Korean printing partner and came away with confidence in their quality and capacity to scale future print runs. Three members of their team guided us through the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Viewing minefields between the two countries was a sobering reminder of why the revelation’s message of peace and brotherhood is sorely needed.

Late one evening Tamara and I hiked up to the famous radio tower in Seoul. From the summit, looking out over the vast city, we felt the thrill of the revelation taking root.

Taiwan: Building Bridges of Cooperation

From Seoul, we flew to Taipei, where Dennis Tsou welcomed us and drove us to a meeting with Eric Ju and a small group of readers. It was wonderful to spend time with individuals who we met during the first Urantia Book conference in Taiwan, held in March 2024. Vicki Yang planted many seeds, and they are now growing as interest in The Urantia Book deepens. We shared a wonderful dinner, and Eric took us on a long walk the next morning.

Last year we launched Richard Zhu’s translation in simplified Chinese characters. Richard spent a decade doing this work, which became the launching point for the revelation into China. Thanks to Richard’s work, there are now study groups forming in China. Words can hardly describe the joy of knowing the fifth epochal revelation is now reaching the Chinese people!

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