South Korea 1
March 6th

“So that the truth of the gospel might remain with South Korea!”

“We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.” (Galatians 2:5,NIV).

》 Country Profile

Continent | East Asia
Population | 51 million
Area | 99,720㎢ Located on the East Asian peninsula, between China and Japan.
Capital City | Seoul (9.97 million)
People Groups | Total 23 groups, Korean 96%, Chinese 2%, other 2%
Groups Unreached | 11 groups (0.9% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Korean
Total Languages | 19
Bible Translations | Completed 17 Partial 1 
Religion | Christianity 30.1% (Protestant 19.8%, Catholic 9%), Non-religious 31.5%, Buddhism 23.8%, Ethnic religion 9.8% Others 4.3%, Evangelical 16.4% (8.46 million people)

》 About South Korea

Korea has a long history, having gone through the Three Kingdoms period of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, followed by the Unified Silla period, and later the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. Despite being an independent kingdom for centuries, Korea frequently faced invasions and interference from neighboring countries. From 1910 to 1945, Korea was occupied by Japan. It regained independence in 1945 after Japan’s defeat in World War II. After liberation, Korea was divided into North and South amidst the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. On August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea was established in the South, with Syngman Rhee as its first president, while North Korea established the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea the following month. The Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded the South. A ceasefire was signed in 1953, establishing the current armistice line, and military tensions between the two Koreas continue to this day. Following the Syngman Rhee administration, South Korea underwent rapid economic development under President Park Chung-hee from 1961 to 1979. In 1987, the military regime ended, and a democratic government was established. Since then, Korea has grown into a global IT powerhouse and the center of the Korean Wave (Hallyu), becoming a leading economic and cultural force worldwide. Yoon Suk-yeol has been serving as Korea’s 20th president since 2022.

South Korea’s economy has become one of the most notable success stories of the 20th century, transforming into a global leader in advanced technology within a few decades. Although growth slowed in the 1990s, South Korea’s economy grew significantly enough to join the ranks of OECD advanced countries in 1996. The Asian financial crisis hit Korea hard in 1997 and 1998 due to its heavy reliance on short-term loans. However, through measures like restructuring large corporations, increasing labor market flexibility, encouraging foreign investment, and expanding imports, South Korea managed to recover relatively quickly. The country continues to face socio-economic challenges such as rapid aging, a rigid labor market, high youth unemployment, low labor productivity, and ongoing corruption issues. South Korea’s GDP per capita is approximately $35,004.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Recently, Korean society has been experiencing severe conflicts. Among these, ideological division between progressives and conservatives is the deepest and most serious. This is followed by economic disparity between the rich and poor and generational conflicts, making social discord a widespread issue. These societal conflicts have also led to rising hatred toward those with differing opinions, and hate speech—both online and offline—has reached alarming levels. What is especially concerning is that Korean politics has failed to lead the country in the right direction. Instead of mediating conflicts, politicians exploit division as a strategy to gain votes. Additionally, the media distorts truth and engages in biased reporting based on their ideological stance rather than facts.
Let us pray that Korean politics and the media will stop using division for their own benefit and instead work toward unity and truth. Let us also pray that the church, called to be a witness of the gospel of peace, will stand firm against the spirit of division that has infiltrated Korean churches. May the Korean church not submit to this spirit but instead serve as a vessel for reconciliation and healing.

2. Korea has recently entered a demographic crisis, facing a sharp population decline and an aging society. In 2020, for the first time in history, the number of deaths exceeded the number of births. The fertility rate as of 2022 is 0.78 children per woman—the lowest among all OECD countries, significantly below the OECD average of 1.51 and even lower than Italy’s 1.24, which ranks second lowest. The working-age population (15-64 years old) is rapidly decreasing, and by 2038, one in four Koreans will be over the age of 70. Additionally, changing attitudes toward marriage have led to an increase in single-person households and cohabitation before marriage. Korea also continues to struggle with its high suicide rate. Since 2003, it has held the highest suicide rate among OECD member countries. As of 2023, an average of 37.7 people die by suicide each day, with suicide being the leading cause of death among those in their teens, 20s, and 30s. Let us declare that the gospel is the only hope for a Korean society where greed and self-love have diminished the value of family and life.
Let us pray that the message of the cross will reach this land, where countless souls battle suicidal thoughts and dozens of lives are lost to suicide daily. May the gospel bring hope and restoration to those in despair.

3. Since the division of North and South Korea in 1945, the Korean Peninsula has remained in an armistice, and the ongoing instability of North Korea cannot be ignored. North Korea remains a serious geopolitical threat due to its nuclear ambitions, military provocations, and unpredictable leadership. The regime’s continuous missile tests, cyber warfare, and human rights violations pose challenges not only for South Korea but also for regional and global security. Beyond the threat of military conflict, a more imminent concern is the potential collapse of North Korea’s state structure. Such a collapse would lead to a massive humanitarian crisis and pose tremendous challenges for South Korea. However, after decades of division, many South Koreans have become indifferent to reunification and are unprepared for it.
Let us pray that political and Christian leaders will prepare wisely for such a scenario and make decisions that will lead to the restoration of the Korean Peninsula. Let us also pray that North Korean defectors living in South Korea will encounter the gospel and become bridges of peace. May the Korean church prepare in prayer and action for the opportunity to share the gospel and play a role in reunification.

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