North Korea

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a nation in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, covering approximately 120,540 km² with a population of about 26 million as of 2024. Known for its isolated regime, military focus, and state-controlled economy, North Korea operates with Korean as the official language. The Catholic Church, with an estimated 800 adherents (less than 0.01% of the population), has a negligible and clandestine presence due to severe religious persecution, introduced in the 19th century by Korean converts. Catholicism exists covertly, with no official patron saint due to government suppression.

North Korea’s temperate climate and tightly controlled society, rooted in Juche ideology, prohibit Catholic activity, with no churches or public worship permitted. The Church operates underground, with minimal information available due to state censorship. Rooted in its history of division in 1948 and ongoing isolation, Catholicism faces extreme restrictions, surviving only among a few secret believers. Stored: North Korea

Country: North Korea
Historic:	Yes
Existence:	–
Continent:	Asia
Region:	East Asia
Historical Region:
Area:	120540 km²
Population:	26000000
Catholic Population:	800
Catholic Percentage:	0.01%
Catholicism Status:	Clandestine minority religion
Official Languages:	Korean
Capital:	Pyongyang
Catholicism Introduced:	19th century
Ecclesiastical Provinces:	0
Dioceses:	0
Patron Saints:	None
Predecessor States:
Successor States:

Geography

North Korea is bordered by China and Russia to the north, South Korea to the south, the Yellow Sea to the west, and the Sea of Japan to the east, covering 120,540 km². Its temperate climate supports agriculture, with mountainous terrain and river valleys. Major cities, including Pyongyang and Hamhung, have no visible Catholic communities due to state suppression. North Korea’s geography isolates any Catholic activity, with worship confined to secret locations.

History

North Korea’s history includes ancient Korean kingdoms, Japanese occupation (1910–1945), and division in 1948, leading to a socialist state under Kim Il-sung. Catholicism entered in the 19th century via Korean converts influenced by Chinese missionaries, with small communities in Pyongyang. The DPRK’s establishment banned religion, destroying churches and persecuting Catholics. The Church survives underground, nominally overseen by the Diocese of Pyongyang, which lacks active clergy.

Demographics

North Korea’s population of approximately 26 million is predominantly ethnic Korean (99%), with small Chinese and Japanese minorities. Catholics, estimated at 800 (less than 0.01%), are a clandestine minority amid a state-enforced atheist majority. No reliable data on religious demographics exists due to censorship. Urban and rural areas alike lack visible Catholic presence, with believers facing imprisonment or execution.

Catholic church

The Catholic Church in North Korea has no formal structure, nominally under the Diocese of Pyongyang, which is vacant and non-functional due to government suppression. No parishes, clergy, or public worship exist, and the Church operates underground with secret believers. No official charities function, though covert aid may occur via external networks. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea (South Korea) monitors North Korean Catholics remotely.

Structure

The Church has no active ecclesiastical structure in North Korea. The Diocese of Pyongyang, established in 1927, is dormant, with no resident bishop or clergy. Oversight falls to the Archdiocese of Seoul in South Korea for advocacy purposes. No parishes or public worship sites exist.

Introduction of Catholicism

Catholicism was introduced in the 19th century by Korean converts, notably through contact with Chinese Jesuit missionaries. Small communities formed in Pyongyang, but the 1948 DPRK regime outlawed religion, forcing Catholics underground. Secret worship persists despite extreme persecution.

Key historical events

Key milestones include the arrival of Catholicism in the 19th century and the establishment of the Diocese of Pyongyang in 1927. The 1948 division of Korea led to the destruction of churches and persecution of Catholics. The Korean War (1950–1953) further decimated the Church. No papal visits or public Catholic events have occurred due to state atheism. The 103 Korean Martyrs, canonized in 1984, include North Korean Catholics.

Catholicism status

Catholicism, with less than 0.01% of the population, is a clandestine minority religion, banned and persecuted in a state-enforced atheist regime. The Church survives in secret, with no public presence or infrastructure, facing severe risks of imprisonment or execution.

Administrative subdivisions

North Korea is divided into nine provinces, one special city, and two special administrative regions, which serve as first-level administrative subdivisions. These are: Chagang, Hamgyong North, Hamgyong South, Hwanghae North, Hwanghae South, Kangwon, Pyongan North, Pyongan South, Ryanggang, Pyongyang, Rason, and Nampo. Pyongyang serves as the administrative hub, with no Catholic activity.

Cultural influence

Festivals and traditions

No Catholic festivals or traditions are publicly observed due to state bans. Secret believers may privately commemorate Christmas or Easter at great risk.

Education and charity

The Church has no schools or charities in North Korea due to government restrictions. Covert aid may reach believers through external networks like Caritas Korea (South Korea), aligned with Catholic Social Teaching.

Art and architecture

No Catholic churches or religious art exist in North Korea, as all Christian sites were destroyed post-1948.

Notable Catholic sites

Pilgrimage sites

No Catholic pilgrimage sites exist in North Korea due to the absence of churches and religious freedom.

Historical churches

No historical or current Catholic churches remain; pre-1948 sites like Pyongyang’s cathedral were demolished.

Saints and blesseds

Patron saints

North Korea has no official Catholic patron saint due to its suppressed Catholic presence.

Associated saints and blesseds

The 103 Korean Martyrs, including Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, canonized in 1984, are linked to North Korea’s early Catholic history. No specific North Korean saints are recognized.

Challenges to Catholicism

The Church faces total state suppression, with believers risking imprisonment, torture, or execution. Surveillance and censorship prevent organized activity. The Church survives through secret faith and external advocacy.

Social and political influence

The Catholic Church has no social or political influence in North Korea, limited to covert spiritual support for secret believers, with external advocacy by Caritas Korea, aligned with Catholic Social Teaching.

External links

• "North Korea". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/korea-north/. 
• "Catholic Dioceses in North Korea". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/KP.htm. 
• "Religion in North Korea". Catholics & Cultures. 2024-09-20. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/north-korea.