About Mensa Korea

"Mensa" means "table" in Latin

What is Mensa?

The word "Mensa" means "table" in Latin. 

The name stands for a round-table society, where race, color, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational or social background are irrelevant. Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. 

The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities.

The 2nd Admission Test of Mensa Korea at DukSung Women's University in 2006

History of Mensa Korea

Mensa Korea was established in July 1996 by Edward Vincent, the Executive Director of Mensa International, and Hyojin Ahn, an international Mensa member. 

The first test was taken in 1996 and as a result, Korea Mensa was started. Within a year, more than 500 members joined through regular tests. These members have continued to engage in their S.I.G activities. In August 1997, the first board of directors was inaugurated. Korea Mensa was officially launched at COEX in January 1998. In June 1998, Mensa Korea opened its official homepage at http://www.mensakorea.org to welcome local Mensans and groups.

1995.07.01

Mensa International Executive Director Edward Vincent and Hyojin Ahn prepared for the first Mensa test in Korea.

1996.07.06 ~ 1996.07.07

The first test taken at the Seoul 63 building (66% passed / 87% registered)

1996.12.21

Preliminary Mensa Korea Journal published.

1997.05.10 ~ 1997.05.11

The 1st membership training

1997.08.17

The 1st board of directors were elected.

1997.10.10

The 1st Mensa Korea Journal published

1998.01.17

An inaugural meeting of a conference at COEX (234 participants)

1998.06.02

Official homepage registered (http://www.mensakorea.org)

1999.09.20

The 2nd board of directors were elected.

2000.05.22

Elevated as a corporation aggregate

2001.07.13

The 3rd board of directors were elected.

2003.12.01

The 4th board of directors were elected.

2005.08.01

The 5th board of directors were elected.

2007.08.01

The 6th board of directors were elected.

2005.10

Mensa Korea was officially recognized as a full “National Mensa”.

2009.09.07

The 7th board of directors were elected.

2011.06.14

The 8th board of directors were elected.

2013.08.01

The 9th board of directors were elected.

2015.01.24

The 10th board of directors were elected.

2017.01.16

The 11th board of directors were elected.

2019.01.01

The 12th board of directors were elected.

2021.04.05

The 13th board of directors were elected.

2022.12.20

The 14th board of directors were elected.