Pray for South Korea

About South Korea

The capital is Seoul. People speak Korean. Christianity and Buddhism are the largest faiths, and many people hold no formal religion.

Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.

Prayer briefing for South Korea

Last updated October 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.

Current events

Relations with Japan have warmed. Leaders speak of working together on semiconductors and energy security, and business groups from both countries have formed a joint committee on the low birth rate. Tensions with North Korea remain, since the North abandoned plans for peaceful reunification in 2024 and called the South its most hostile country.

We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.

Leadership and politics

South Korea is a democratic republic with a presidential system, in which the President leads both the state and the government. President Lee Jae Myung took office on 4 June 2025 after a snap election. It followed the martial law declared by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in December 2024, his impeachment and his removal from office in April 2025. Lee serves a five-year term.

We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.

Economic health

South Korea is one of the larger economies in Asia, with output per person of about 37,000 US dollars in 2026 estimates, and semiconductors are central to its trade. The fast-ageing population and very low birth rate raise hard questions about work, care and provision for the years ahead.

We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.

Social and cultural issues

South Korea has about 51 million people and one of the lowest birth rates in the world, and the population has begun to fall as it ages rapidly. The Korean peninsula remains divided, and because no peace treaty was ever signed, the two Koreas are still technically at war.

We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.

Spiritual landscape

In 2024 figures, about 51% of South Koreans had no religion, about 31% were Christian (about 20% Protestant and about 11% Catholic) and about 17% were Buddhist. Only about 1% were Christian in 1900, and churches grew strongly through the last century. Seoul is home to some of the largest churches in the world, such as Yoido Full Gospel Church.

We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.

Religious freedom

Believers of every faith can worship openly in South Korea. In its 2014 analysis the Pew Research Center rated government restrictions on religion and social hostility toward religion there as low, lower than in the United States. Churches, temples and other places of worship meet freely.

We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.

Historical wounds

Korea was under Japanese rule from 1910 to 1945, when millions were mobilised for forced labour and many girls and women were forced into sexual slavery. The Korean War from 1950 to 1953 killed millions, and no peace treaty has been signed. Military rule followed, and in 1980 the Gwangju uprising was violently put down. Democracy was won in 1987.

We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.

Let us pray together

Our Father, we come to You together for South Korea. Give peace on the Korean peninsula and keep its people safe. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to the President and all in authority. Provide for every family, and give hope for the generations to come. Comfort the lonely and the elderly, encourage young people, and bring reconciliation between North and South. Renew faith and hope in every generation. Keep believers faithful, united and free to worship. Heal the wounds of occupation, war and violence, and lead the nation in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sources

More ways to pray

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