The Emergence of a Religious Market in Twentieth-century Korea

Half of the population of the Republic of Korea says they have no religious affiliation. The other half is divided among Buddhists, Protestants, and Catholics. This equal division among believers and non-believers is a relatively recent development. Until a few decades ago, the vast majority of Koreans proclaimed no religious affiliation. As a result of both urbanization and proselytizing, the number of the self-consciously religion increased dramatically over the second half of the 20th century. However, no single religious community has been able to dominate this transformed religious landscape. Instead, three major religions have emerged as the clear winners in the competition for adherents: Buddhism, Protestant Christianity, and Catholicism. Those three religions have been more successful than alternatives such as Confucianism, shamanism, and new religious movements in adapting to the competitive religious market that prevailed in the Republic of Korea in the 20th century. Their success is due to their ability to gain the attention of potential members amidst crowded urban environments who define themselves as compatible with modernity, and create unique brands that distinguish them from their competitors. KCI Citation Count: 2