“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 as an independent kingdom, but it faced frequent invasions and interference from neighboring countries. In 1910, Japan occupied Korea, and it remained under Japanese control until 1945, when Korea gained independence. In 1948, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was established. The Korean War, caused by North Korea’s invasion in 1950, devastated the country. The war ended in 1953 with a ceasefire agreement, dividing the Korean Peninsula along the 38th parallel. From 1961 to 1979, under President Park Chung-hee, South Korea experienced rapid economic growth. In 1987, the military regime ended, and a democratic government was formed. Since then, South Korea has held presidential elections under a revised democratic constitution. Currently, President Yoon Suk Yeol, elected in 2022, is in office.
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 $42,300.
》 Scripture Focus
| Galatians 2:3-10(NIV) 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. 6 As for those who seemed to be important–whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance–those men added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. 8 For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Korean society is facing many problems today. The biggest problem is between the ruling and opposition parties, between liberals and conservatives, and between different political beliefs. There are also problems between rich and poor, between workers and bosses, between full-time and temporary hires, and between different age groups. Since 2013, problems between men and women have also become very serious.
Sadly, Korean politics is not helping these problems. Instead of fixing them, politicians aim for more votes while making things worse. Let’s pray that Korean politics and media stop encouraging division solely for their benefit. Also pray that the Korean church may not yield for a single moment to the spirit of division that has secretly entered the church. Let us pray that they will awake and stand as priests who bring peace and witnesses of the gospel.
2. Recent trends in Korean society indicate that the country has entered an era of population decline and an aging society. In 2020, for the first time, more people died than were born. In 2022, Korea’s birth rate was 0.78, even lower than 0.98 in 2018, which was the lowest among those of the OECD countries. By 2038, one out of every four Koreans will be over 70 years old.
As the population in their 30s, the main age group for marriage, continues to decline, the marriage rate is also steadily decreasing. Economic independence has become more difficult for young people, and there has been a rapid shift in views toward marriage. This has led to an increase in single-person households, cohabitation before marriage, and the rise of gray divorces among those who have been married for over 20 years.
Let us proclaim that the gospel is the only hope in Korean society where the value of family and life has faded due to the greed of loving the world and oneself. Let us pray that the churches in Korea, in this generation where self-love reigns supreme, may boldly and clearly proclaim the message of the cross.
3. South Korea is known as the “Republic of Suicide”. Since 2003, the suicide rate has ranked highest among OECD countries. In 2023, an average of 38.8 people took their own lives daily. Suicide is the number one cause of death among people in their teens, 20s, and 30s, with 52.7% of deaths in their twenties being suicides.
Let’s pray that the message of the cross reaches those tormented by suicidal thoughts. May the churches in Korea continue to tirelessly share the hope of Jesus Christ and never cease to pray until revival comes.
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