Christianity in North Korean History

Buddhism was the first major religion introduced to Korea in 327 A.D. via China. During the Korea Dynasty (935 A.D. -1392 A.D.), Buddhism saw its golden age in Korean history. After the Lee Dynasty overthrew the Korea Dynasty in 1392, Confucianism was introduced to Korea as a means to topple Buddhism in order to eliminate the political influence of the previous dynasty. The result was a half-Buddhist, half-Confucian nation.

The combination of Buddhism and Confucianism made Korea’s culture very similar to that of China. However, when large numbers of Western missionaries poured into China and Korea, the reactions were of two different extremes. The Koreans welcomed Christianity whereas the Chinese saw the missionaries as imperialistic intruders. The reasons behind these different attitudes are more historical rather than cultural.

Early in the Manchurian Dynasty, the great Chinese emperor KangXi banished all the Western missionaries from China, and for almost three hundred years Christianity was absent in China until imperial military forces from the West budged their way into China via wars like the Opium War. Anti-Christian Chinese intellectuals often say that “Jesus Christ rode a cannon ball into China.” Despite the gracious efforts of the missionaries in China, evangelism was very slow compared to Korea because of the wars that were going on in China against the West.

In comparison, Korea was never badgered by Westerners. There were only the Chinese invasion in 2^nd Century B.C. and 7^th Century A.D., the Mongolian invasion in the 13^th and 14^th Century, the Manchurian invasion in 17^th Century, and the Japanese invasion in the 16^th Century and the “protection” and occupation in late 19^th Century and early 20^th Century. Western imperialism was never a threat to Koreans. What the West had offered Korea were only schools, hospitals, and other social services, mostly by Protestant missionaries. Therefore, there had been an amazing thrive of Christianity in South Korea in the 20^th Century.

Sadly, the growth of the Church in North Korea has been suppressed under the communist regime since 1945, the year in which Korea was divided into two. The North Korean government did not allow any individual thinking. Article 49 of the Constitution states that “all individuals live for the benefit of society”. North Koreans thus had no right to vote, to own any property, to enjoy legal equality, and most importantly, no religious freedom. Everyone was to worship none by the leader Kim. In 1946, the government redistributed lands to the people, and all religious groups lost their lands. In 1948, all church buildings became government property. After the Korean War, the North Korean government blamed the Christians for losing the war, and the Church in North Korea was severely persecuted. Since 1955, whomever accused of being Christian would be immediately executed. In 1957, the North Korean government officially declared its stand against all religions.

The persecution was lessened in 1972, when article 54 of the Constitution declares that all citizens have the freedom to be religious and the freedom to oppose religion. In 1975, North Korea began to re-establish foreign relations with the democratic world. In the attempt to show its good will, the North Korean government came up with a supervised religious organization. Yet, this organization is nothing but the North Korean counterpart of the Three-Selves Church in China—an organization established to spread government propaganda and identify underground church members.

Today, there is still very little religious freedom in North Korea. All schoolchildren are indoctrinated with the idea of “leader worship”. The society idolizes Kim Chong Il as though he were a god. Foreign influence can hardly change the North Korean attitude on this issue, as it is difficult enough for the world outside of North Korea to deal with Kim’s government on issues such as nuclear threat. The only way for North Korea to see major Christianization is for the two Koreas to reunite. It would be a difficult task in terms of culture and economics, and we need a lot of patience on this issue, but no matter how long it will take, for the sake of the gospel the reunification of the two Koreas is absolutely necessary. Let’s pray for Korea.

Alex Tseng

Aug 26 2003