Korean in Korea, South

Introduction / History

Koreans are believed to have ancestral links to the ancient Mongolians and Turks. They likely migrated to the Korean peninsula from as far away as the Siberian region. Before the 1900s, Korea was an agricultural society with strong family ties. Almost all the people lived in small villages and worked on farms. When Japan was defeated in 1945, Korea was divided between a communist north and a capitalist south. There was a brutal war between 1950-53 that ended in a stalemate. South Korea went on to become a powerful industrial nation with a vibrant Christian minority.

Distinct regional differences in culture and politics exist among South Koreans. The most important regional difference is between the Gyeongsang region in the southeast and the Jeolla region in the southwest. The two regions maintain a rivalry that reaches back to the fourth century AD. The rivalry originated from a struggle for control of the peninsula. Interregional marriages are rare and travel between the regions in sparce despite a major highway connecting the regions since 1984. Constructed for the specific reason of increasing interregional travel, the highway has not served to improve visitation or commerce between the regions.

The political power elite have come largely from the Gyeongsang region and, consequently, this region has benefitted most from government development assistance. In contrast, the Jeolla region has remained comparatively rural and undeveloped.

Regional stereotypes, like regional dialects, have been breaking down under the influence of centralized education, nationwide media, and several decades of population movement since the Korean War. Stereotypes remain important in the eyes of many South Koreans, however. Each region has its own stereotypical beliefs about the other regions. These beliefs may or may not be based in truth and accuracy.

South Koreans refer to themselves as Hanguk-in or Hanguk-saram, both of which mean “people of the Han.” North Koreans refer to themselves as Joseon-in or Joseon-saram, both of which literally mean “people of Joseon” (“Joseon” being the last dynastic kingdom of Korea).

What Are Their Lives Like?

In the traditional rural Korean household, grandparents, parents, children, uncles, aunts and cousins often lived in the same house or group of houses. These days the nuclear family has taken precedence. In a traditional Korean family, the father is dominant, the mother is home-centered and devoted to raising her children, and grandparents, aunts and uncles play an important role in a youngster's life.

Koreans set much store by filial piety. Children are not only required to support and serve their parents while still living with them, but also beyond.

Korean still maintain the tradition of bowing. A quick, short bow is used when greeting someone older, asking for a favor, and exchanging objects. In more formal settings like business meetings, a deeper bow may be more appropriate.

What Are Their Beliefs?

North Korea is officially an atheist state. South Korea, by contrast, is a multi-religious society. South Korea’s population includes a plurality of people with no religious affiliation (46%) and significant shares of Christians (29%) and Buddhists (23%). Islam is one religion that has made a sizeable gain in Korea in the last half century.

What Are Their Needs?

South Korea is one of the most educated countries in the world, but this high regard for education comes at a cost. Students typically spend a total of 12 to 16 hours at school and at after-school academies. This academic pressure leads to an increased su

Prayer Points

May South Koreans, who are already God’s children, be purposeful about sharing the gospel.
Pray that God will ignite passion for him and his word in among South Koreans.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to re-ignite missionary efforts of South Koreans, leading them to go the Buddhists and Muslims around the world.
Pray for peace, stability, justice, and mercy to reign once again throughout the Korean Peninsula.

Text Source:   Joshua Project