Though not much is known about religion in North Korea, due to the government’s tight control over information, it is known that unlike other countries in East Asia, there is considerable religious diversity in this largely closed country. Traditionally, the Korean peninsula has been home to a range of religions and beliefs, including the indigenous faiths Cheondoism and Jeungsanism and foreign imported beliefs such as Buddhism, Christianity, and Taoism.
In North Korea, Shamanism appears to be the dominant religion and is most commonly practiced among the elderly, rural population. Shamanism is said to be the religion of the Korean people for thousands of years, and its origins are tied to ancient fertility rites and ancestor worship. The practice includes the use of rituals and ceremonies to communicate and achieve divine intervention from higher powers, and it is believed that shamans can bridgew the gap between the spiritual and physical worlds.
Christianity also appears to be practiced in North Korea in some form. It is believed that there are approximately 8,000-12,000 Christians, although some sources suggest there may be up to 300,000. However, it is hard to gauge the exact numbers due to the government’s suppression of religious activity. Christian churches and missionaries have been known to be harassed, and peaceful religious activities can bring on government punishment or worse. In the last few years, multiple reports have documented the state-sponsored kidnapping, detention and torture of North Korean Christians.
The spread of Buddhism is also believed to be present in several pockets throughout the regime. Its history has been deeply intertwined with that of the Korean people since before the country was divided in 1945. In 2007, a survey by the government confirmed that about 500 Buddhist temples with 10,000 monks were still in operation. In addition to Buddhists, it is thought that there exist a small community of Zoroastrians, mainly relocated from Iran before the Korean War.
In addition to these main religions, there is evidence that Confucianism is practiced on the peninsula. This may be a remnant of ancient Chinese rule over the region, or an adaptation of religious practices over time. North Koreans consider Confucianism to be an ethical system, rather than a religion, and it is often mixed with traditional spirituality. It states that everyone should strive to become a moral member of society and revere their ancestors.
Furthermore, it is believed that there are some who practice cults. It is known that North Koreans believe in superstition and perform certain rituals they believe will bring luck or fortune. There have been reports of the North Korean government using these cults as a form of control, or alternatively using them to control the population. It is not clear which religion is the most practiced in North Korea, but it is likely that Shamanism still reigns supreme.
Freedom of Religion
Religious activity is widely suppressed in North Korea and citizens are not free to practice any religion as they wish. Although it is legal to believe in a certain religion and there are some places of worship, public religious displays are discouraged and consideread a crime. All religious organizations are required to register with the government. As of yet, there are no officially registered religions in North Korea.
Religion is seen by the government as a threat to their authority and every citizen is expected to pledge allegiance to the Kim dynasty. This means that religious activity that has any kind of political implications is strictly prohibited. As a result, most religious activity is conducted in secret and is rife with fear of being caught and punished.
Religious activity is seen as something that would undermine the state and its ideology, and the government suppresses any signs of religious life in order to propagate their own beliefs and rituals. As a result, it is likely that religion will continue to be suppressed in North Korea for generations to come.
Relationship with the Supernatural
North Koreans consider themselves to be secular and believe in the power of human will and toil over that of religious worship. In traditional North Korean culture, it is believed that the spirits of the dead have a strong relationship with their living relatives and are capable of influencing their lives and fortunes. For this reason, traditional North Koreans perform a number of rituals and practices to appease and appease the spirit of their ancestors and ensure they have a good relationship with the afterlife.
These rituals and practices include ancestor worship, ghost festivals, and shamanistic ceremonies. The practice of ancestor worship dates back hundreds of years, and is still practiced by many North Koreans, though only in private. Ghost festivals involve leaving offerings, such as food and paper money, for deceased relatives, and shamanistic ceremonies are performed to enlist the help of the spirit world to bring good fortune.
The relationship between North Koreans and their dead ancestors is important, and is part of what makes the country distinct from its neighbors. As mentioned before, shamanism is the most widely practiced religion in North Korea and its influences can be seen in traditional North Korean culture, which is based on a deep veneration of the dead.
Political Implications
Religion has become a contentious political issue in North Korea, as the state attempts to maintain its stronghold on power. The government has been known to persecute individuals who practice religion and does not allow religious groups to organize or assemble. In addition, the government has banned religious expression in public and on television, and actively attempts to turn away foreign missionaries. This is because the government considers religion to be in clash with its own political ideas and any religious activity as a form of dissent.
Though it is impossible to know the exact number of people who practice religion in North Korea, it is clear that the government attempts to quash any kind of religious activity that might threaten the regime’s control. North Korea is still in a state of emergency and it should not come as a surprise that religion is tightly controlled there.
Impact on Daily Life
Religion has a lasting impact on North Koreans’ lives, even though its presence is not always seen in the public sphere. People may practice certain rituals and customs that are not publicly discussed, such as ancestor worship, in the privacy of their own homes. In addition, many North Koreans still believe in superstitions and consult local shamans for guidance and protection. These beliefs can be traced back centuries, and are a part of traditional North Korean culture.
The lack of religious freedom has a profound impact on the daily lives of North Koreans. Citizens are denied the freedom to express their beliefs and to practice the religion of their choice. In addition, many North Koreans fear for their safety if they are caught participating in religious activities. This fear of retribution is a barrier to practicing religion openly, and serves to further suppress religious freedom in the country.
Conclusion
In spite of the North Korean government’s stringent control over religious activities, its citizens are still believed to practice a variety of religions including Shamanism, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, and cults. It is likely that Shamanism is the most commonly practiced religion in North Korea, though it is hard to gauge the exact numbers due to the government’s suppression of religious activity. Additionally, North Koreans consider themselves to be secular and believe in the power of human will and toil over that of religious worship. Finally, the lack of religious freedom has a profound impact on the daily lives of North Koreans, as citizens are denied the freedom to express their beliefs and to practice the religion of their choice.
