Korean Society of Systematic Theology

The Korean Society of Systematic Theology (KSST; Korean: 한국조직신학회) is a scholarly society based in Seoul, South Korea, dedicated to the study and presentation of systematic theology, modern theology, Christian ethics, and hermeneutics. It was founded on 12 September 1964, making it the oldest among South Korea's single-discipline theological societies. The society operates in connection with the Korean Society of Christian Studies (한국기독교학회) and pursues theological research, academic presentation, fellowship, communication, and unity among its members, with the stated aim of serving the Korean church and society and realizing the kingdom of God in the land. The society's official journal is the Korean Journal of Systematic Theology (한국조직신학논총), ISSN 1226-3656, which is an accredited journal of the National Research Foundation of Korea. The journal accepts submissions through the JAMS online submission system. The society also publishes a planned series of thematic volumes on systematic theology, including works on ecclesiology (2009), Christology (2011), the doctrine of God (2012), eschatology (2012), soteriology (2015), pneumatology (2017), and theological method (2018), as well as a 2016 volume explaining dogmatic themes for pastoral ministry, all published by the Christian Literature Society of Korea (대한기독교서회). The society is governed by elected officers serving annual terms. For its 34th term (November 2023 – October 2024), the president was Professor Lee Chan-seok of Hyupsung University, with vice-president Choi Kwang-jin, general secretary Lee Sang-eun, treasurer Jo Anna, recording secretary Kim In-su, editorial director Park Young-sik, external cooperation director Pastor Kim Jung-du, IT/media director Song Yong-won, and auditors including Kang Eung-seop. The editorial committee of the Korean Journal of Systematic Theology for 2024–2025 is chaired by Professor Park Young-sik of Seoul Theological University and includes scholars from a range of South Korean theological institutions. The KSST maintains a website at ksst.kr and a Facebook presence, and its journal is distributed through the JAMS research paper submission system. It is distinct from the Korean Evangelical Society of Systematic Theology (한국복음주의조직신학회), a separate body. As a learned society rather than a commercial enterprise, its activities center on academic conferences, peer-reviewed publication, and professional networking among theologians in South Korea.

The Korean Society of Systematic Theology was founded on 12 September 1964, during a period of growth and institutionalization in South Korean Protestant theology. It is the oldest of South Korea's single-discipline theological societies, predating other specialized theological associations. The society was established to promote research and presentation in systematic theology, modern theology, Christian ethics, and hermeneutics, and to foster fellowship, communication, and unity among its members in service of the Korean church and society. From its early years, the society has been linked with the Korean Society of Christian Studies (한국기독교학회), a broader umbrella organization for theological scholarship in South Korea. Its academic journal, the Korean Journal of Systematic Theology (한국조직신학논총), ISSN 1226-3656, became an accredited journal of the National Research Foundation of Korea, reflecting the society's standing in the Korean academic community. The journal accepts submissions via the JAMS online system. In addition to its journal, the society has published a planned series of thematic volumes on core systematic theology topics through the Christian Literature Society of Korea (대한기독교서회). The series began with Ecclesiology (교회론) in 2009, followed by Christology (그리스도론) in 2011, God (신론) and Eschatology (종말론) in 2012, Soteriology (구원론) in 2015, Pneumatology (성령론) in 2017, and Theological Method (신학방법론) in 2018. A related volume, Explanation of Dogmatic Themes for Pastoral Ministry (목회를 위한 교의학 주제 해설), was published in 2016. The society is governed by officers elected for annual terms. As of its 34th term (November 2023 – October 2024), the president was Professor Lee Chan-seok of Hyupsung University. Other officers included vice-president Choi Kwang-jin, general secretary Lee Sang-eun, treasurer Jo Anna, recording secretary Kim In-su, editorial director Park Young-sik, external cooperation director Pastor Kim Jung-du, IT/media director Song Yong-won, and auditor Kang Eung-seop. The editorial committee of the Korean Journal of Systematic Theology for 2024–2025 is chaired by Professor Park Young-sik of Seoul Theological University and includes scholars from institutions such as Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, Hannam University, Busan Presbyterian University, Sungkonghoe University, Hansei University, Paichai University, Soongsil University, Methodist Theological University, Anyang University, and Honam Theological University and Seminary. The society maintains a website at ksst.kr and a Facebook page, and its journal is accessible through the JAMS submission system. It is distinct from the Korean Evangelical Society of Systematic Theology (한국복음주의조직신학회), a separate organization. The KSST continues to hold academic conferences and publish peer-reviewed scholarship, serving as a central institution for systematic theology in South Korea.

• 2023

  34th term of officers began in November 2023, with Lee Chan-seok as president.

• 2018

  Published Theological Method (신학방법론) in the planned series.

• 2017

  Published Pneumatology (성령론) in the planned series.

• 2016

  Published Explanation of Dogmatic Themes for Pastoral Ministry (목회를 위한 교의학 주제 해설).

• 2015

  Published Soteriology (구원론) in the planned series.

• 2012

  Published God (신론) and Eschatology (종말론) in the planned series.

• 2011

  Published Christology (그리스도론) in the planned series.

• 2009

  Published first volume of the planned series, Ecclesiology (교회론), by Christian Literature Society of Korea.

• 1964

  Founded on 12 September 1964 as the oldest single-discipline theological society in South Korea.

Academic theological society; oldest single-discipline theological society in South Korea; publisher of an NRF-accredited journal.

• Korean Journal of Systematic Theology (한국조직신학논총)

  Official academic journal, ISSN 1226-3656, accredited by the National Research Foundation of Korea.

• Ecclesiology (교회론)

  Planned series volume 1, published 2009 by Christian Literature Society of Korea.

• Christology (그리스도론)

  Planned series volume 2, published 2011.

• God (신론)

  Planned series volume 3, published 2012.

• Eschatology (종말론)

  Planned series volume 4, published 2012.

• Soteriology (구원론)

  Planned series volume 5, published 2015.

• Pneumatology (성령론)

  Planned series volume 6, published 2017.

• Theological Method (신학방법론)

  Planned series volume 7, published 2018.

• Explanation of Dogmatic Themes for Pastoral Ministry (목회를 위한 교의학 주제 해설)

  Published 2016 by Christian Literature Society of Korea.

1. 1Wikidata: Korean Society of Systematic Theologywikidata.org
2. 2Korean Wikipedia: 한국조직신학회ko.wikipedia.org
3. 3Official websiteksst.kr