Honorary Reporters

Dec 24, 2020

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Honorary Reporter Laura Lopez Velazquez from Mexico

Photo =  Laura Lopez Velazquez


The celebration of Christmas has a religious basis but given the relatively short history of Christianity in Korea, how did this holiday come to this country?

Korea is one of the few countries in East Asia that designates Christmas an official holiday, an occasion that began after Christianity took a more prominent role following the liberation of the Korean Peninsula in 1945. At the time, Christians comprised just 2% of the population since most Koreans identified as Buddhist, with Confucianism and shamanism being other religions in the country.

Today, Christianity and Buddhism are the two main religions in Korea, according to the 2015 census, though the majority of Koreans (56.1%) identified themselves as "nonreligious." Thanks to globalization, Korean Christians have adopted this Western tradition with enthusiasm.


Christmas decorations in Korea are a fixture every December. (Wikipedia with Creative Commons license)


But is Christmas truly observed in Korea? Some say yes but others no. Many streets and department stores in the country in December are decorated with large Christmas decorations and colored lights. This has attracted the younger generation, who tend to buy more gifts due to commercial influence and social media. This is why Christmas is like a second Valentine's Day in Korea.

Christmas in Korea has major differences with that elsewhere in the world. One is that meeting relatives is not a tradition like it would be for Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) or Seollal (Lunar New Year). Oftentimes, young couples treat Christmas Day like Valentine's Day and exchange gifts. Those with no significant other celebrate with friends through eating and drinking. Families with young children celebrate it together, as children always look forward to this day. As for Christians, they go to church, sing Christmas carols and celebrate the birth of Jesus like they do in the West.



A Christmas tree shines at Seoul Plaza and decorations brighten up the entrance to Jogyesa Temple in downtown Seoul. (Korea Culture and Information Service DB)


enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.