Irreligion in South Korea

rdf:langString Irreligion in South Korea

rdf:langString Religion in South Korea

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rdf:langString Other

rdf:langString Irreligious

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rdf:langString Irreligion in South Korea makes up 56% of the population saying they are not affiliated with a religion, as of the 2015 national census. Irreligion should not be confused with atheism, as a vast majority of Koreans believe in ancestral worship and deities due to the significant influences of Buddhism and Confucianism in the country, similar to many other countries in other parts of Asia. Therefore, with Buddhism and Confucianism incorporation into traditional Korean culture, it is now considered a philosophy and cultural background rather than a formal religion. As a result, many people outside of the practicing population are deeply influenced by these traditions. Thus, when counting secular believers or those influenced by the faith while not following other religions, the number of Buddhists in South Korea is considered to be much larger. Similarly, in officially atheist North Korea, while Buddhists officially account for 4.5% of the population, a much larger number (over 80%) of the population are influenced by Buddhist and Confucianist customs and philosophies.