South Korea

Christianity in Korea was initially introduced by Korean nationals returning from abroad, rather than by foreign missionaries. The Catholic faith grew during the 18th century as Koreans sought Western knowledge, but faced persecution due to its challenge to the societal hierarchy. Protestantism, arriving in the late 19th century, rapidly spread and became associated with Korean nationalism during Japanese rule. South Korea boasts one of the world's largest Christian congregations, but church membership has stagnated due to societal changes and scandals within the church. Despite this, Korean churches are actively involved in social welfare and maintain a significant influence on Korean society