How the Catholic Church Changed Korean Society + Government // The Halfie Project Podcast

Korea - the only country to ever bring Catholicism to the masses WITHOUT colonization, foreign missionaries or proselytizing. How did the oldest Western institution in the world get rooted in Korea, so much so that it played a major role in the democratization of the formerly Confucian kingdom?

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The Halfie Project

[eucharistenjoyer]

Back when I lived in Korea as a Scholarship student I was an Atheist, coincidently my best friend was a Korean Catholic, awesome guy. 10 years later I'm happily reverted and I hope to go to World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul.

[jeremygawongna]

Catholicism in Korea amazes me. The sincerity is there. May faith, hope, and love continue to flourish in the Church.

[aliehzr]

As Mexican cradle Catholic 🇲🇽 This brings so much JOY to my heart ♥️ Just found out how Korea has a great number of Catholic converts. Viva Cristo Rey 👑📿🙏🏼

[jewelboxballerina]

St. Andrew Kim and all the holy Korean Martyrs are all smiling from heaven. All their sacrifices in the name of the Lord bore the most wonderful fruit! In my community alone here in the Philippines have Korean nuns serving the poor in my community. I also love that Catholicism is even well integrated in their pop culture. May South Korea be ever blessed by the Lord.

[TheLookatGodPodcast]

I would love to speak about Catholicism. I’ve been studying philosophy and theology and have fully converted to Catholicism. Thank you for speak about the church in South Korea. I can’t wait, the next World Youth Day will be in South Korea.

[cyrilpalomo]

Thanks for this topic ... Im a Catholic. Im proud for Korean Catholic because they are self-made Catholics ... formed by the blood of the Martyrs

[marianitadelabahan]

I am amazed how some Koreans converted to Catholicism from Buddhism. God to be Glory

[Minnie--ruew]

It melts my heart to hear that South Korea is slowly becoming a Catholic nation 🙏 🇰🇷🙏

[redback]

love to learn that Koreans are self-made catholic. may it grow deeper and stronger, God bless Korea, I am a Naga a catholic from Nagalim, north east part of India.

[danielnyambi-tsex]

Beautiful and edifying podcast! As a Nigerian Catholic, I can testify to the eminently positive transforming influence of the Catholic Church in my family and society.

[joshuasnyder]

God bless Korea! I was raised Protestant in America but converted to Catholicism in my fifth year living in Korea. I'm Euro-American, but consider myself spiritually a Korean Catholic. The Catholic Church thrives in Korea. The church was growing so much during my Catholic decade there (2002-2012) that I was a member of four parishes, as the first parish I joined split three times as it grew. I also loved that nuns in habits were everywhere. Here in the US, where I am a catechist, my 13-year-old confirmation students do not even know what a nun is!

[leungho]

I am a Filipino and as long as I remember we only have around 3 saints. But Korea has hundreds of saints via martyrdom. Also, Catholicism in Korea was initiated by lay Koreans not by foreign missionary priests or nuns. That is remarkable for me.

[jamesdakrn]

My father became an orphan in the 60s, and was sent to an orphanage but later was able to attend a Catholic school in Gwangju even tho he couldnt afford tuition (even public high schools had tuition in Korea back then).

Catholic priests took him in and gave him shelter and also some part time jobs too after school so hed have a place to stay as well.

He still speaks highly of those men, among them was this Italian priest who came to Korea to build the school and work for the community.

After Korea got much better economically in the 80s he then left to work in Sudan, and in the 2000s theyd built a school there and a bunch of my dad and his classmates donated bc of him.

[ronaldmanego]

Wow. After I watched "The Priest" Happy to know how Catholics became huge in Korea. Im proud of my religion. Ron2 here from Philippines ❤

[cassierybka]

My son was confirmed last year and was so inspired by the Korean culture that he chose St. Andrew Kim Taegon. It’s been amazing praying with him and feeling connected to Korea in this way. 🤗🤗 May God bless the work He has begun in you all.

[jnieltv]

Catholic church shows me love, respect, forgiveness, and peace. That's why I become a Catholic.

[dominicbihan]

I'm so proud to be a Catholic. God bless us and be with us 🙏 Amen. From Malaysia .

[ArnelAndallo-tp]

Praised God..
Our Loving God is working..
God Love Korea...

[AngelaSealana]

Yes, you are right that John Paul II was giving a stamp of approval when he came to South Korea. He himself helped support democracy in his own country of Poland during Communist rule.

[hankkook]

If visiting Seoul, then a visit to the Jeoldusan Marty's Shrine and Museum is a must. It's is here that thousands of catholics died for the faith. Also, Myeongdong Cathedral is built on the site of the house where the first scholars met to study the new teachings.