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Editor’s note: Franklin Rausch is an assistant professor at Lander University in the Department of History and Philosophy. He just finished teaching a course on Modern East Asia as part of Kyungpook National University’s Global Summer School in Daegu, Korea. His research focuses on the relationship between religion and violence, particularly the anti-Catholic persecutions in Korea during the Joseon dynasty. He earned his doctoral degree from the University of British Columbia, where he focused on the history of Catholicism in Korea. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
(CNN) — The simple answer to the question why Pope Francis is headed to South Korea, in the first papal trip to Asia in 25 years, is straightforward. The pope is going to celebrate the sixth Asian Youth Day and beatify 124 martyrs of Korea.
But the more complex answer has to take into consideration the Korean Catholic Church’s unique history and the pope’s theological agenda. These can give us a deeper understanding of why he is making this trip.
While South Korea may not be viewed as an overtly Catholic nation (compared to the Philippines, the most Christian nation in Asia), at least 10% of South Korea’s population belong to the Church, according to its statistics.
The Catholic Church in Korea enjoys a high level of respect from non-Catholics, maintains good relations with other religious communities, and has a history of positive social engagement for the common good. Pope Francis’s visit will recognize these accomplishments, a move that will not only please Koreans, but hold up their church as a model of evangelization.
Evangelizing in Asia
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