Christians around the world gathers in Korea for YSA Conference

Under the blazing sun, hundreds of young Latter-day Saints from across South Korea — and as far as the United States — convened last week on the campus of Honam University in Gwangju for a four-day gathering of worship, fellowship and shared conviction.

The YSA Convention, held August 14–17, drew participants in their 20s and 30s for a program centered on the scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants 88:63: “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you… Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

Organizers built the four-day agenda around those imperatives — “Come Closer,” “Seek,” “Ask,” and “Knock” — blending worship services, workshops and evening performances with moments of laughter, reflection and, for some, unexpected personal trials.

On the first day, young adults checked into dormitories, received team assignments and threw themselves into ice-breaking contests that included flag-making and choreographed chants. Later, groups dashed across campus in a QR code–based orientation challenge, setting a spirited tone for the weekend.

“It felt like the first week of college,” said Jose Esau Lopez of Utah, who traveled from the United States to attend. “I could feel the passion of the young people here, their love for the Savior. I would recommend this to anyone.”

The second day opened with a devotional by Elder Hyun Soo Kim of the North Asia Area Presidency, who urged participants to open the door to Christ, “who waits at the threshold.” Through scripture and personal stories, Elder Kim reminded the congregation that “discipleship is built by prayer, scripture study and covenant keeping.”

Afternoon workshops ranged from sports to choral singing to panels on marriage and dating, framed not simply as social contracts but as sacred covenants. In the evening, a talent show showcased hip-hop, ballads and traditional ensemble acts, before a campus festival filled with food trucks and busking.

On Saturday, a highlight was the “YSA Arena,” a mix of outdoor competitions that emphasized teamwork over victory. Later, business leader and Uta Cupbap founder Jeong Hoon Song shared lessons from entrepreneurship. “Don’t let the pursuit of perfection paralyze you,” he told the audience. “This season of your life is about learning. Failure can be a blessing if it moves you forward.”

That evening, a formal dance — long absent from past conferences — returned, transitioning from paired waltzes to a raucous EDM party.

The closing day turned inward. In small testimony meetings, dozens stood to share stories of isolation, resilience and newfound conviction. For many, the theme scripture had taken on fresh resonance.

“I often felt alone before this,” said Hoon Jin Moon of Incheon. “But as I asked and knocked, I realized the Lord sent me answers through my peers here.”

At the final devotional, Conference Chair Jong In Kim spoke candidly of faith, repentance and belonging. “Heaven is not filled with perfect people,” he said, quoting church leader Dieter F. Uchtdorf. “It is filled with those who turn back, again and again.”

Kim’s words, coupled with hymns sung by a volunteer choir, brought the four days to a close. Participants departed Gwangju not only with new friendships but, as several expressed, with a deeper sense of spiritual purpose.