Why is Catholicism important in South Korea?
A history of scientific pursuit and democratic activism has set a special place for Catholicism in Korean society.
The Pope was greeted by hundreds of thousands of Koreans during his visit to Seoul. (EPA)
Last updated: 18 Aug 2014 12:24
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov is professor of Korean Studies at Kookmin University, Seoul. He is the author of "The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia".
On the August 16, Gwanghwamun plaza in downtown Seoul hosted probably the greatest number of people in its long history: An estimated 800,000 Koreans gathered there to greet Pope Francis. The pontiff visited South Korea to meet the Catholic community and beatify 124 martyrs - people who had died for their Catholic faith in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Such massive interest in the Pope's visit might appear unusual, since Korea is not known as a Catholic country. However, Catholics constitute a rather significant part of South Korea's population. According to the most recent data, roughly 10 percent (or 5 million South Koreans) are Catholics.
The number might be somewhat misleading since the actual influence of Catholicism in the country is much stronger than it might seem on the surface, as Catholics are overrepresented among the elite. Generally speaking, the higher one looks in Korea's social hierarchy, the more likely one is to find Catholics.
This all appears a bit strange because in most non-European countries where Catholics are influential nowadays, Catholicism was first introduced by colonial powers. Such countries are mostly former colonies of Europe's Catholic nations (namely Spain, Portugal and France). Korea, on the other hand, was colonised by a decisively non-Catholic, and for that matter, non-Christian country: Japan.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/08/why-catholicism-important-korea-201481717037383818.html