The History and Context of Protestantism in the Korean Peninsula until the Early 20th Century

This study examines the emergence and spread of Protestantism in Korea from the late 19th to early 20th century. Christianity, particularly Protestantism, exerted significant influence on Korea’s social and political development, especially in education, healthcare and modernisation. Schools and hospitals established by American and European missionaries contributed substantially to the widespread acceptance of Christianity. During the Japanese colonial rule (1910–1945), Protestant communities actively participated in independence movements, whilst Christianity became integral to Korean national identity. This study explores how Protestantism evolved from a religious movement into a defining force in Korean society and politics.