Critical perspectives on religions - especially Christianity - in the development of South Korea post-1945

Under Japanese colonialism from 1910, Communism and Christianity emerged in Korea offering alternative, and mutually antagonistic, ideals for nationalists and for post-colonial development. Broadly speaking, after the liberation from Japan in 1945, the north emerged as a type of Communist state and the south as a right-leaning capitalist state oriented to the West and soon to be followed by the Korean War (1950-1953). This chapter contributes to understanding the relationship between religions and global development by showing how in this context Christianity played a highly significant role the development of South Korea. It will also offer some reasons why Korea’s other religions have had less observable impact on development over this period.