Christianity in Korea: Arrived Late 18th Century, Now Major Faith

Christianity entered Korea in the late 1700s—uniquely, without foreign missionaries initially. Korean scholars (Silhak school) encountered Catholic texts via Beijing envoys, studied them, and baptized each other (1784, Lee Seung-hun).

Persecution followed (1801, 1839, 1866, 1871)—thousands martyred; 103 canonized saints.

Protestantism arrived 1884–85 (Horace Underwood, Henry Appenzeller). Schools, hospitals, Bible translation fueled growth.

Today: ~28% of South Koreans identify Christian (20% Protestant, 8% Catholic)—highest in East Asia. Megachurches (Yoido Full Gospel, 800k+), massive missionary sending (2nd globally after US), strong political/social influence.

North Korea: underground church persists; severe persecution.