Religion in South Korea

South Korea is a country where people have many different beliefs and ways of thinking about life. In 2025, about 52% of people in South Korea said they did not follow any particular religion. Among those who do, Christianity and Buddhism are the most common.

The Jeondong Cathedral in Jeonju, North Jeolla.

Christianity makes up about 31% of the population, with many people belonging to Protestant or Catholic groups. Buddhism is practiced by about 16% of people. These two religions became important during big changes in South Korean history, especially in the 20th century.

Even though many people say they have no religion, some still practice older traditions like Korean shamanism. These traditions might be hidden behind the numbers of people who say they have no religion. The way people in South Korea think about religion keeps changing over time.

Demographics

Most people in South Korea do not follow a specific religion. In a 2025 survey, about 52% of South Koreans said they had no religion. For those who do, Christianity is the most common. About 31% are Christian — with 20% Protestant and 11% Catholic. Buddhism is next, with 16% of people. A small 1% belong to other religions.

Religious affiliation by age (2025)

Religious affiliation by gender (2025)

religion	1950–1962		1985		1995		2005		2015
religion	num.	%	num.	%	num.	%	num.	%	num.	%
Christianity (overall)	—N/a	5−8%	—N/a	20.7%	11,390,000	26.0%	13,461,000	29.2%	13,566,000	27.6%
(Protestantism)	—N/a	2.8%	—N/a	16.1%	8,505,000	19.4%	8,446,000	18.3%	9,676,000	19.7%
(Catholicism)	—N/a	2.2%	—N/a	4.6%	2,885,000	6.6%	5,015,000	10.9%	3,890,000	7.9%
Buddhism	—N/a	2.6%	—N/a	19.9%	10,154,000	23.2%	10,588,000	22.8%	7,619,000	15.5%
other	—N/a	92.4%	—N/a	2.1%	—N/a	1.2%	—N/a	1%	—N/a	—N/a
non-religious	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	57.3%	—N/a	49.6%	—N/a	47.2%	—N/a	56.9%

The percentage of religious beliefs by region in Korea (2025)
Administrative area	Protestantism	Catholicism	Buddhism	Other	No Religion
Seoul	22%	13%	13%	1%	51%
Incheon/Gyeonggi	21%	12%	12%	1%	53%
Daejeon/Sejong/South Chungcheong Province	21%	10%	15%	1%	53%
Gwangju/Jeolla	25%	11%	11%	2%	51%
Daegu/North Gyeongsang	17%	10%	23%	1%	49%
Busan/Ulsan/South Gyeongsang	13%	7%	29%	1%	49%
Gangwon/Jeju	16%	16%	18%	1%	49%
Korea National	20%	11%	16%	1%	51%

Age	Protestantism	Catholicism	Buddhism	Other religions	No affiliation
18–29	13%	5%	8%	2%	72%
30–39	15%	8%	12%	2%	64%
40–49	18%	10%	14%	2%	56%
50–59	20%	10%	19%	1%	50%
60–69	24%	15%	22%	1%	39%
Above 70	29%	19%	21%	2%	29%
Other religions include Won Buddhism, Confucianism, Cheondoism, Daesun Jinrihoe, Daejongism, and Jeungsanism.

	Protestantism	Catholicism	Buddhism	Other religions	No affiliation
Male	18%	10%	16%	1%	55%
Female	22%	12%	17%	2%	47%
Other religions include Won Buddhism, Confucianism, Cheondoism, Daesun Jinrihoe, Daejongism, and Jeungsanism.

History

Before 1945

Before Buddhism arrived, Koreans had their own ancient beliefs led by shamans called mu. Buddhism came from China in 372 to the northern Korean state of Goguryeo and grew into special Korean ways. At the time, Korea had three kingdoms: Goguryeo in the north, Baekje in the southwest, and Silla in the southeast. Buddhism reached Silla later, in the 5th century, and became the official religion there in 552. It became very popular in Silla and Baekje, while in Goguryeo, the old Korean beliefs stayed stronger. Later, during the Goryeo kingdom (918–1392), Buddhism grew even more and became a powerful part of society.

The Joseon kingdom (1392–1910) followed a strict form of Korean Confucianism and limited Buddhism and shamanism. Many Buddhist monasteries were destroyed, and monks and nuns were not allowed in towns. These rules lasted until the 19th century.

In the late 1800s, Korea faced big changes. Leaders turned to Western Christian missionaries for help. Christian communities had been in Korea since the 1600s, but only in the 1880s did many Western missionaries arrive. They started schools, hospitals, and publishing places. The royal family supported Christianity.

When Japan controlled Korea from 1910 to 1945, they tried to make Koreans follow State Shinto. This made Christians, who felt linked to Korean nationalism, even stronger. They refused to take part in Shinto rituals. At the same time, Cheondoism, a movement to refresh old Korean beliefs, also grew.

1945–2015

After World War II in 1945, Korea split into two parts. Many Christians from the north moved to the south. Cheondoists stayed in the north, so there are only a few left in South Korea.

In the 1970s and 1980s, South Korean governments tried to stop people from worshipping traditional gods. This hurt the old shrines of Confucian family religion. Because of this and fast changes in society, Buddhism came back strongly. It mixed with folk beliefs and gave people a way to practice their traditions. This time also saw Christian churches growing quickly.

From 1962 to 1997, the number of Buddhist temples went from 2,306 to 11,561. Protestant churches grew from 6,785 to 58,046. The Catholic Church went from 313 to 1,366 churches between 1965 and 2005. Won Buddhism grew from 131 to 418 temples from 1969 to 1997. Daesun Jinrihoe went from 700 to 1,600 temples between 1983 and 1994.

Study performed by a South Korean Research Journal revealing the change in religion demographics from 2018 to 2020.

By 2005, about 22.8% of South Koreans said they were Buddhist, and 29.2% were Christian. But between 2005 and 2015, both groups became smaller. Buddhism dropped to 15.5%, and Christianity fell to 27.6%. In 2015, about 56.1% of South Koreans said they had no religion. Protestantism was 19.7%, Korean Buddhism 15.5%, and Catholicism 7.9%. A small 0.8% followed other religions.

2015–present

A Korean research journal studied South Korea’s changing religious groups. The study found that while many people have no religion, Protestants are now the largest group. About half of South Koreans have no religion, 32% are Christian, 16% are Buddhist, and 2% follow other religions. The big change is the rise in people who don’t believe in any religion, especially among younger people.

The study showed that younger South Koreans are more likely to have no religion, while older people are more likely to be religious. About 33% of people around age 20 believe in a religion, but over 61% of people aged 60 or older do. The study also found that when and how people learn about religion can affect whether they stay religious. Most Buddhists became religious in their 30s, while Christians were introduced at different ages. With fewer young people being religious, South Korea’s culture, politics, and daily life may change in important ways.

Fundamentalist Protestant attacks on traditional religions

From the 1980s to the late 2000s, some strong Protestant groups acted against Buddhists and followers of traditional religions in South Korea. These actions included damaging temples and statues. Some of these actions were even supported by church leaders.

Dominant religions

Buddhism

Main article: Korean Buddhism

Buddhism came to Korea from China a long time ago. It was very important in Korean history and culture. Today, Buddhism is more common in the eastern parts of South Korea.

There are different kinds of Buddhism in Korea. One kind is called Seon, which is similar to Zen. Most Buddhist temples belong to a group called the Jogye Order, which follows the Seon way. Another group allows married priests. There are also other smaller Buddhist groups.

Christianity

Main article: Christianity in Korea

Christianity began in Korea in the late 1700s. Today, the main kinds of Christianity in South Korea are Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist. Protestant missionaries helped build schools and hospitals, which helped Christianity grow.

Christianity is most common in the western part of South Korea, including Seoul.

Different Christian groups sometimes disagree with each other.

907 major Korean Buddhist temples by school (2005)
School	Temples
Jogye Order (조계종/曹溪宗)	735 (81%)
Cheontae Order (천태종/天台宗)	144 (16%)
Taego Order (태고종/太古宗)	102 (11%)
Beobhwa Order (법화종/法華宗)	22 (2%)
Seonhag-won (선학원/禪學院)	16 (2%)
Wonhyo Order (원효종/元曉宗)	5 (1%)
Other	27 (3%)

Indigenous religions

Korean shamanism, also called "Muism" and "Musok," is the original religion of the Korean people. It is similar to Japan's Shinto. In Korean shamanism, special people called shamans, or mu, help connect humans with spirits and gods through rituals called gut. These rituals help solve problems in people's lives.

A key belief in Korean shamanism is Haneullim or Hwanin, the source of all life and the highest god. Sadly, many shaman shrines were destroyed, but interest in shamanism is growing again in South Korea today.

Cheondoism

Cheondoism is a religious tradition based on ancient Korean beliefs. It began in the 1860s as part of the Donghak movement, started by Choe Je-u. The movement grew and led to a big revolution in 1894. After Korea was divided in 1945, most Cheondoists lived in North Korea.

Other sects

Other small religions based on Korea's original beliefs started in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These include Daejongism, which worships Dangun, the legendary founder of Korea, and Jeungsanism, which focuses on special teachings. There are also many tiny religious groups around Gyeryongsan Mountain in South Korea.

Other religions

Shrine of a Confucian school in Gangneung.

Chisan Seowon, a seowon (private Confucian school) of the Joseon era.

Ritual at a Confucian temple (before 1935).

Bahá'í Faith

Baháʼí Faith came to Korea thanks to an American woman named Agnes Alexander.

Confucianism

Main article: Korean Confucianism

Few South Koreans today say they follow Confucianism (유교 Yugyo). Korean thinkers created their own version of Korean Confucianism long ago. Though it is not widely followed now, Confucian ideas still shape many traditions and Korean culture. Special ceremonies are held each year, especially at the Shrine of Confucius in Seoul. Other ceremonies happen at shrines across the country.

Hinduism

Main article: Hinduism in Korea

Hinduism (힌두교 Hindugyo) is mainly practiced by small groups of Indian, Nepali, and Balinese people living in South Korea. Some younger South Koreans are interested in Hindu practices like yoga and Vedanta. Hindu temples in Korea include the Sri Radha Shyamasundar Mandir in central Seoul, Sri Lakshmi Narayanan Temple in metropolitan Seoul, Himalayan Meditation and Yoga Sadhana Mandir in Seocho in Seoul, and Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple in Uijeongbu 20 km away on the outskirts of Seoul.

Islam

Main article: Islam in Korea

Islam is a very small part of South Korea’s religious life. KMF thinks about 200,000 Muslims live in South Korea, with 45,000 being native Koreans. Most of the rest are foreigners, many of whom are students or workers.

Judaism

Main article: History of the Jews in South Korea

Shinto

Main article: Shinto in Korea

When Japan ruled Korea from 1910 to 1945, Koreans were forced to join the Japanese ways of worship. Many Japanese Shinto shrines were built across Korea. After Japan lost World War II in 1945, these shrines were either destroyed or turned into other buildings. Today, only a few Shinto groups remain in South Korea.

Sikhism

Main article: Sikhism in South Korea

Sikhs have lived in South Korea for around 50 years. The first South Korean gurdwara opened in 2001. Today, there are about 550 Sikhs in South Korea, and they are now allowed to become South Korean citizens.