Freedom of religion in South Korea: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
m Reverted edits by 180.68.254.153 (talk) to last version by GreenC bot |
LucasBrown (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| (14 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] --> |
|||
{{multiple issues| |
|||
| ⚫ | '''Freedom of religion in [[South Korea]]''' is provided for in the [[Constitution of South Korea|South Korean constitution]]; the [[South Korean government]] has generally respected this right in practice.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: South Korea |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/south-korea/}}</ref> |
||
{{USgovtPOV|date=March 2008}} |
|||
{{Update|inaccurate=yes|date=August 2010}} |
|||
{{One source|date=August 2010}} |
|||
}} |
|||
| ⚫ | '''Freedom of religion in [[South Korea]]''' is provided for in the [[Constitution of South Korea|South Korean constitution]] |
||
== Laws guaranteeing the right to freedom of religion == |
== Laws guaranteeing the right to freedom of religion == |
||
=== Constitutional laws === |
=== Constitutional laws === |
||
Freedom of religion for all citizens and the separation of the state and religious organizations is guaranteed by the [[ |
Freedom of religion for all citizens and the separation of the state and religious organizations is guaranteed by the [[Constitution of the Republic of Korea]], article 20. |
||
''(1) All citizens shall enjoy freedom of religion. '' |
''(1) All citizens shall enjoy the freedom of religion. '' |
||
''(2) No state religion shall be recognized, and religion and state shall be separated.'' |
''(2) No state religion shall be recognized, and religion and state shall be separated.'' |
||
Moreover, any discrimination based on a citizen's religious belief is strictly forbidden by |
Moreover, any discrimination based on a citizen's religious belief is strictly forbidden by Article 11 : |
||
''(1) All citizens shall be equal before the law, and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic, social, or cultural life on account of sex, religion, or social status.'' |
''(1) All citizens shall be equal before the law, and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic, social, or cultural life on account of sex, religion, or social status.'' |
||
| Line 23: | Line 18: | ||
==== International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) ==== |
==== International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) ==== |
||
The Republic of Korea is member party to UN multilateral treaty [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights|International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)]] which provides that every individual has the right and freedom to adopt a religion or belief of his/ her choice and to manifest his/ her religion or belief either individually or in community with others, either in public or private (article 18), every individual has the right to be free from discrimination based on religious belief (Article 2) and this right is irrevocable even in conditions of emergency which threatens the life of the nation (Article 4). The government has the duty to guarantee all individuals equal and effective protection against religious discrimination (Article 26). |
The Republic of Korea is a member party to the UN multilateral treaty [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights|International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)]] which provides that every individual has the right and freedom to adopt a religion or belief of his/ her choice and to manifest his/ her religion or belief either individually or in community with others, either in public or private (article 18), every individual has the right to be free from discrimination based on religious belief (Article 2) and this right is irrevocable even in conditions of emergency which threatens the life of the nation (Article 4). The government has the duty to guarantee all individuals equal and effective protection against religious discrimination (Article 26). |
||
Individuals have also the freedom to profess non-theistic and atheistic beliefs as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief. The terms belief and religion are to be broadly construed. (UN Human Rights Committee, General comment 22, 30 July 1993) |
Individuals have also the freedom to profess non-theistic and atheistic beliefs as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief. The terms belief and religion are to be broadly construed. (UN Human Rights Committee, General comment 22, 30 July 1993) |
||
| Line 30: | Line 25: | ||
=== Legal status of religious organizations === |
=== Legal status of religious organizations === |
||
There is neither an [[official religion]] nor [[state atheism]] in the [[Republic of Korea]]. Also, unlike in many other countries, the government does not compile any list of recognized religions. Thus, there cannot be said that any religious organization is more legitimate than other in Korea, from a legal point of view. All religious organizations are equal before the law, regardless of the number of members, number of years since founding or their beliefs. There is in fact no specific law that regulates religious activities. Religious groups manage their assets through two types of legal personality: civil associations (사단) or foundations (재단).<ref>Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea - 한국 종교 현황 - 2011(Current state of religion in the Republic of Korea - 2011), page 55</ref> |
There is neither an [[official religion]] nor [[state atheism]] in the [[Republic of Korea]]. Also, unlike in many other countries, the government does not compile any list of recognized religions. Thus, there cannot be said that any religious organization is more legitimate than other in Korea, from a legal point of view. All religious organizations are equal before the law, regardless of the number of members, number of years since founding or their beliefs. There is in fact no specific law that regulates religious activities. Religious groups manage their assets through two types of legal personality: civil associations (사단) or foundations (재단).<ref>Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea - 한국 종교 현황 - 2011 (Current state of religion in the Republic of Korea - 2011), page 55</ref> |
||
In 2011 there were 382 civil associations and 322 foundations related to various religious organizations. |
In 2011 there were 382 civil associations and 322 foundations related to various religious organizations.<ref>Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea - 한국 종교 현황 - 2011 |
||
(Current state of religion in the Republic of Korea - 2011), pages 56-93</ref> |
|||
== Independent research == |
== Independent research == |
||
| Line 38: | Line 34: | ||
=== Pew research center's Government Restrictions Index === |
=== Pew research center's Government Restrictions Index === |
||
According to Pew research Center's Government Restrictions Index which measures the overall level of restrictions that the government places on religious organizations using an aggregate score of 20 indicators and then classifies countries in four categories ('''Low''' - the best category, '''Medium''', '''High''' and '''Very High'''). In the 2009 respectively 2011 indexes South Korea was placed in the category '''Low''' and in the 2015 index the country was placed in the category '''Moderate'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2017/04/11/global-restrictions-on-religion-rise-modestly-in-2015-reversing-downward-trend/|title=Global Restrictions on Religion Rise Modestly in 2015, Reversing Downward Trend|date=2017-04-11|website=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project|access-date=2017-06-11}}</ref> |
According to Pew research Center's Government Restrictions Index which measures the overall level of restrictions that the government places on religious organizations using an aggregate score of 20 indicators and then classifies countries in four categories ('''Low''' - the best category, '''Medium''', '''High''' and '''Very High'''). In the 2009 respectively 2011 indexes South Korea was placed in the category '''Low''' and in the 2015 index the country was placed in the category '''Moderate'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2017/04/11/global-restrictions-on-religion-rise-modestly-in-2015-reversing-downward-trend/|title=Global Restrictions on Religion Rise Modestly in 2015, Reversing Downward Trend|date=2017-04-11|website=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project|access-date=2017-06-11}}</ref> |
||
===Freedom House=== |
|||
In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom; however, it was noted that a halt on mosque building may be due to discrimination.<ref>[https://freedomhouse.org/country/south-korea/freedom-world/2023 Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-03]</ref> |
|||
==Religious demography== |
==Religious demography== |
||
| Line 43: | Line 42: | ||
{{Main|Religion in South Korea}} |
{{Main|Religion in South Korea}} |
||
South Korea has an area of {{convert|38023|sqmi|km2}} and a population of |
South Korea has an area of {{convert|38023|sqmi|km2}} and a population of 52 million people in 2022. According to the 2015 national census, 56.1% of people have no religious beliefs, 19.7% of the population is [[Protestant]], 15.5% follow [[Korean Buddhism]] and 7.9% follow [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]]. About 0.8% of South Koreans follow other religions, including [[Won Buddhism]], [[Confucianism]], [[Cheondoism]], [[Daesun Jinrihoe]], [[Islam]], [[Daejongism]], [[Jeungsanism]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox Christianity]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1PM1502&conn_path=I2|title=성, 연령 및 종교별 인구 - 시군구|date=2015|website=Korean Statistical Information Service|language=ko|trans-title=Population by Gender, Age, and Religion - City/Country|access-date=2018-03-17}}</ref> |
||
| ⚫ | In 2007, Buddhism had 27 orders within the country. The Catholic Church had 16 dioceses. Within the major Protestant traditions there were a total of 121 denominations, approximately 90 percent of which are separate [[Presbyterian]] groups. The [[Christian Council of Korea]] (CCK) reported that there were an estimated 75 Protestant denominations with at least 100 congregations nationwide, including [[Methodist]], [[Lutheran]], [[Baptist]], [[Presbyterian]], [[Anglican]], and the [[Korean Gospel Church Assembly]].<ref name=gov>United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. [https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90141.htm South Korea: International Religious Freedom Report 2007]. ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref> |
||
There are no official figures on the membership of other religious groups such as [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (Mormons), [[Seventh-day Adventist]] Church, [[Daesun Jinrihoe]], and [[Islam]].<ref name=gov/> |
|||
| ⚫ | Buddhism |
||
According to Gallup Korea's 2004 survey on the state of religion in the country, 36 percent of those who practiced a faith reported that they attended religious services or rituals at a church or temple more than once a week, 10.6 percent attended two to three times per month, 20.6 percent attended once or twice a year, and 4.9 percent did not attend services. Of those who attended religious services more than once a week, Protestants had the highest attendance rate at 71 percent, Catholics 42.9 percent, and Buddhists 3.5 percent.<ref name=gov/> |
|||
Foreign-based missionary groups operate freely. In 2006 the country sent more than 16,000 missionaries abroad, making it the world's second largest source of Christian missionaries after the [[United States]].<ref name=gov/> |
|||
==Status of religious freedom== |
==Status of religious freedom== |
||
| Line 57: | Line 50: | ||
===Legal and policy framework=== |
===Legal and policy framework=== |
||
There is no [[state religion]] in South Korea. There are no government-established requirements for religious recognition. The Traditional Temples Preservation Law protects cultural properties including Buddhist temples, which receive some subsidies from the government for their preservation and upkeep. [[Buddha's Birthday]] and [[Christmas]] are the only national holidays that are religious in nature.<ref |
There is no [[state religion]] in South Korea. There are no government-established requirements for religious recognition. The Traditional Temples Preservation Law protects cultural properties including Buddhist temples, which receive some subsidies from the government for their preservation and upkeep. [[Buddha's Birthday]] and [[Christmas]] are the only national holidays that are religious in nature.<ref>[https://www.officeholidays.com/countries/south-korea/2021#:~:text=List%20of%20Holidays%20in%20South%20Korea%20in%202021,%20%20Seollal%20%2017%20more%20rows%20 Office Holidays website, retrieved 2023-08-03]</ref> |
||
The government does not permit religious instruction in public schools. Private schools are free to conduct religious activities.<ref |
The government does not permit religious instruction in public schools. Private schools are free to conduct religious activities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: South Korea |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/south-korea/}}</ref> |
||
In 2007, the 'Religious Affairs Bureau' of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in South Korea took the lead in organizing groups such as the [[Korean Religious Council]] and the [[Council for Peaceful Religions]] to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding. The Bureau was also responsible for planning regular events such as the Religion and Art Festival, the Seminar for Religious Leaders, and the Symposium for Religious Newspapers and Journalists.<ref name=gov/> |
|||
===Restrictions on religious freedom=== |
===Restrictions on religious freedom=== |
||
In 2018, a Constitutional Court ruling found that the government could not imprison conscientious objectors, as they had done for many years, but had to provide alternative forms of service for them.<ref>[https://factsanddetails.com/korea/Korea/Religion/entry-7213.html Facts and Details website]</ref><ref>[https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/south-korea/best-court-decision-of-the-year/ Jehovah's Witness website, article on conscientious objectors in South Korea]</ref> |
|||
The South Korean government provides no exemption or alternative civilian service for those who have a religious objection to service in [[Republic of Korea Armed Forces|the armed forces]]. According to the National Assembly's Defense Committee, in 2006 Jehovah's Witnesses accounted for all of the 781 men who rejected military service. Of those 781, 548 were given prison sentences of at least 18 months, 1 was given a prison sentence of more than 2 years, 225 are awaiting trial, and 7 were released without charge. Those sentenced were allowed to conduct their own religious services in prison. In 2005 the National Human Rights Commission recommended that South Korea recognize an individual's right, based on religious conviction, to refuse compulsory military service, and called for an alternative form of service. In April 2006 the South Korean Ministry of National Defense established a 17-member committee, made up of scholars, lawyers, journalists, religious leaders, civic activists, and military officials, to study ways to introduce and establish the standards for such alternative service. From April 2006 to March 2007, the committee met 8 times to discuss how to introduce such a system. On June 6, 2007, the committee concluded that it was too early to acknowledge those who have religious objections to service in the military and to introduce an alternative service system.<ref name=gov/> |
|||
Other than the conscientious objectors mentioned above, there were no other official reports of religious prisoners or detainees in the country.<ref name=gov/> |
|||
Hye-min Kim, Lak-hoon Cho, and Hyeong-geun Kim, were recently set free from the appeal court. Their case was based on conscientious objection to military service. The unexpected "not guilty" decision of the Gwangju Appellate Court demonstrates the change in attitude among the legal profession. Judges are increasingly recognising conscientious objection is a valid justification for refusing military service. |
|||
At this current time South Korea's Constitional Court has yet to come to a decision on the right to freedom of conscience in relation to military service. |
|||
==Societal abuses and discrimination== |
|||
There were no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice, and prominent societal leaders took positive steps to promote religious freedom.<ref name=gov/> |
|||
Religious leaders regularly met both privately and under government auspices to promote mutual understanding and tolerance. These meetings were given wide and favorable coverage by the media. For example, the Korean Council of Religious Leaders holds an annual event, the ROK Religious Culture Festival, which aims to promote reconciliation and mutual understanding among religious groups. The 2006 festival, at Seoul City Hall Plaza, was attended by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Christian Churches of Korea, Won Buddhism, the Korea Religious Council, and the Catholic Church, among other groups.<ref name=gov>United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. [https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90141.htm South Korea: International Religious Freedom Report 2007]. ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref> |
|||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
*[[Religion in South Korea]] |
*[[Religion in South Korea]] |
||
*[[Irreligion in South Korea]] |
|||
*[[Korean Buddhism]] |
|||
*[[Christianity in Korea]] |
|||
*[[Seohak]] |
|||
*[[Human rights in South Korea]] |
*[[Human rights in South Korea]] |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
||
* [https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/south-korea/best-court-decision-of-the-year/ Best court decision of the year. 2017.] |
|||
{{Asia topic|Freedom of religion in}} |
{{Asia topic|Freedom of religion in}} |
||
Latest revision as of 10:10, 8 July 2024
Freedom of religion in South Korea is provided for in the South Korean constitution; the South Korean government has generally respected this right in practice.[1]
Laws guaranteeing the right to freedom of religion
[edit]Constitutional laws
[edit]Freedom of religion for all citizens and the separation of the state and religious organizations is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, article 20.
(1) All citizens shall enjoy the freedom of religion.
(2) No state religion shall be recognized, and religion and state shall be separated.
Moreover, any discrimination based on a citizen's religious belief is strictly forbidden by Article 11 :
(1) All citizens shall be equal before the law, and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic, social, or cultural life on account of sex, religion, or social status.
International laws and treaties
[edit]International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
[edit]The Republic of Korea is a member party to the UN multilateral treaty International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which provides that every individual has the right and freedom to adopt a religion or belief of his/ her choice and to manifest his/ her religion or belief either individually or in community with others, either in public or private (article 18), every individual has the right to be free from discrimination based on religious belief (Article 2) and this right is irrevocable even in conditions of emergency which threatens the life of the nation (Article 4). The government has the duty to guarantee all individuals equal and effective protection against religious discrimination (Article 26).
Individuals have also the freedom to profess non-theistic and atheistic beliefs as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief. The terms belief and religion are to be broadly construed. (UN Human Rights Committee, General comment 22, 30 July 1993)
Relationship between religious organizations and the state
[edit]Legal status of religious organizations
[edit]There is neither an official religion nor state atheism in the Republic of Korea. Also, unlike in many other countries, the government does not compile any list of recognized religions. Thus, there cannot be said that any religious organization is more legitimate than other in Korea, from a legal point of view. All religious organizations are equal before the law, regardless of the number of members, number of years since founding or their beliefs. There is in fact no specific law that regulates religious activities. Religious groups manage their assets through two types of legal personality: civil associations (사단) or foundations (재단).[2]
In 2011 there were 382 civil associations and 322 foundations related to various religious organizations.[3]
Independent research
[edit]Pew research center's Government Restrictions Index
[edit]According to Pew research Center's Government Restrictions Index which measures the overall level of restrictions that the government places on religious organizations using an aggregate score of 20 indicators and then classifies countries in four categories (Low - the best category, Medium, High and Very High). In the 2009 respectively 2011 indexes South Korea was placed in the category Low and in the 2015 index the country was placed in the category Moderate.[4]
Freedom House
[edit]In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom; however, it was noted that a halt on mosque building may be due to discrimination.[5]
Religious demography
[edit]South Korea has an area of 38,023 square miles (98,480 km2) and a population of 52 million people in 2022. According to the 2015 national census, 56.1% of people have no religious beliefs, 19.7% of the population is Protestant, 15.5% follow Korean Buddhism and 7.9% follow Catholicism. About 0.8% of South Koreans follow other religions, including Won Buddhism, Confucianism, Cheondoism, Daesun Jinrihoe, Islam, Daejongism, Jeungsanism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.[6]
In 2007, Buddhism had 27 orders within the country. The Catholic Church had 16 dioceses. Within the major Protestant traditions there were a total of 121 denominations, approximately 90 percent of which are separate Presbyterian groups. The Christian Council of Korea (CCK) reported that there were an estimated 75 Protestant denominations with at least 100 congregations nationwide, including Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, Anglican, and the Korean Gospel Church Assembly.[7]
Status of religious freedom
[edit]Legal and policy framework
[edit]There is no state religion in South Korea. There are no government-established requirements for religious recognition. The Traditional Temples Preservation Law protects cultural properties including Buddhist temples, which receive some subsidies from the government for their preservation and upkeep. Buddha's Birthday and Christmas are the only national holidays that are religious in nature.[8]
The government does not permit religious instruction in public schools. Private schools are free to conduct religious activities.[9]
In 2007, the 'Religious Affairs Bureau' of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in South Korea took the lead in organizing groups such as the Korean Religious Council and the Council for Peaceful Religions to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding. The Bureau was also responsible for planning regular events such as the Religion and Art Festival, the Seminar for Religious Leaders, and the Symposium for Religious Newspapers and Journalists.[7]
Restrictions on religious freedom
[edit]In 2018, a Constitutional Court ruling found that the government could not imprison conscientious objectors, as they had done for many years, but had to provide alternative forms of service for them.[10][11]
See also
[edit]- Religion in South Korea
- Irreligion in South Korea
- Korean Buddhism
- Christianity in Korea
- Seohak
- Human rights in South Korea
References
[edit]- ^ "2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: South Korea".
- ^ Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea - 한국 종교 현황 - 2011 (Current state of religion in the Republic of Korea - 2011), page 55
- ^ Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea - 한국 종교 현황 - 2011 (Current state of religion in the Republic of Korea - 2011), pages 56-93
- ^ "Global Restrictions on Religion Rise Modestly in 2015, Reversing Downward Trend". Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. 2017-04-11. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
- ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-03
- ^ "성, 연령 및 종교별 인구 - 시군구" [Population by Gender, Age, and Religion - City/Country]. Korean Statistical Information Service (in Korean). 2015. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
- ^ a b United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. South Korea: International Religious Freedom Report 2007. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Office Holidays website, retrieved 2023-08-03
- ^ "2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: South Korea".
- ^ Facts and Details website
- ^ Jehovah's Witness website, article on conscientious objectors in South Korea
