Speaker

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung is resident bishop of the Ohio Episcopal Area, comprised of the East and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church. As resident bishop, he provides spiritual oversight; shares in equipping, teaching, and encouraging mission, outreach, witness, and service; and serves as a shepherd of the church in providing a prophetic witness of justice, mercy, and unity.

Prior to being assigned to the Ohio Episcopal Area in 2024, Jung served eight years as bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference and then 12 years as bishop of the Wisconsin Conference. In Wisconsin he visited every congregation, provided leadership in planting over 30 new congregations, and guided the Cabinet in achieving 49% cross-racial appointments.

Jung is a member of the Ecumenical Forum for Korea in Geneva, Switzerland, where he advocates for peace and reconciliation efforts on the Korean Peninsula. He has held several prominent roles within The United Methodist Church including president of the General Board of Global Ministries and chair of the UM Korean National Plan.

Jung holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MA from the Institute of Buddhist Studies (affiliated with the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA), an MA from Dongguk University Graduate School in Seoul, South Korea, and a BTh from Methodist Theological Seminary in Seoul, South Korea.

The bishop and his wife Rev. Im-Hyon are the parents of two adult sons and grandparents of two.