Why are so few North Korean defectors Buddhist?



Evergreen Why are so few North Korean defectors Buddhist? Protestants outnumber Buddhists among defectors, even though both religions are about equally represented in South Korea Ifang Bremer May 9, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A family at a Buddha’s Birthday celebration in central Seoul, May 2022 \| Image: NK News Defectors in South Korea are overwhelmingly Protestants, even though Buddhism has about as many followers in the country. Buddhism is one of South Korea’s oldest religions, with over 16% of the population identifying as Buddhist. But only a small fraction of North Korean defectors in the South identify as such – about 10%, according to 2019 survey data by the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB). Defectors in South Korea are overwhelmingly Protestants, even though Buddhism has about as many followers in the country. Buddhism is one of South Korea’s oldest religions, with over 16% of the population identifying as Buddhist. But only a small fraction of North Korean defectors in the South identify as such – about 10%, according to 2019 survey data by the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB). Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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Why are so few North Korean defectors Buddhist?

Protestants outnumber Buddhists among defectors, even though both religions are about equally represented in South Korea

Ifang Bremer May 9, 2022

Why are so few North Korean defectors Buddhist?

A family at a Buddha’s Birthday celebration in central Seoul, May 2022 | Image: NK News

Defectors in South Korea are overwhelmingly Protestants, even though Buddhism has about as many followers in the country.

Buddhism is one of South Korea’s oldest religions, with over 16% of the population identifying as Buddhist. But only a small fraction of North Korean defectors in the South identify as such – about 10%, according to 2019 survey data by the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB).

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