South Korea

South Korea Factbook

South Koreans have come to the Lord by the millions over the last 50 years. There is much to praise the Lord for as He is doing a marvelous work through the Korean churches.

South Korea is located in the southern portion of the Korean peninsula, which is connected to northeastern China. The terrain is primarily hills and mountains with plains along the west coast.

Nearly 48 million people live in South Korea. Only a few thousand are not native Koreans.

South Korea enjoys one of the world's stronger economies. Export oriented industry is the primary driver. The Asian economic crisis of the late 1990's hit South Korea hard, but they have been recovering well.

Korea was occupied by Japan for 35 years prior to the end of World War II. After the war, Korea was partitioned into North and South Korea. A Marxist regime quickly took control of North Korea. South Korea has had a long series of military-civilian governments. In recent years, the country has implemented a multiparty system. There is freedom of religion.

South Korea has seen a tremendous blessing from the Lord, particularly over the last 50 years. Evangelicals now account for nearly 30% of the population and their numbers are still growing rapidly. The people are interested in the things of God, and believers are very active in their faith.

Traditional Asian religions are still influential. Approximately one third of the people are Buddhist. Shamanism, the native Korean religion, is also influential. As is true in Japan, there are a significant number of new religions. These are usually some variation of Buddhism and gain a following from many people.

The rapid growth in evangelicals has presented challenges to the churches. Pray for unity and effective ministry as the churches accommodate ever increasing numbers. The missions vision of the South Korean church is particularly encouraging. Several hundred missionaries are currently serving on foreign fields. One challenge Korean missionary’s face is cultural adaptation because there are so few foreign cultures found in South Korea. Pray for their ministry and for their adaptation to the cultures in which they minister.

Pray for continued ministries to reach the lost in South Korean. Ministries to young people have been fruitful. Christian literature is in abundant supply and has been key to much of the progress that has taken place.

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