Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing battles against dictatorship. Its association with democracy and development has helped
the religion cultivate its inclusive, forward-looking image.
Christianity's success here is visible in the thousands of neon crosses dotting major cit-
ies' skylines, as well as the fantastic popularity and wealth of U.S.-style “megachurches”
like the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul. A significant number of the Christian faithful
belong to smaller sects that place great value on winning new converts, so street preaching
and fairly aggressive proselytizing are not uncommon—in fact South Korea produces more
missionaries per capita than any other nation besides the United States. If you're not inter-
ested, a polite but firm “no” is enough to dissuade most would-be saviors. Be aware that
meal, volunteering, or social invitations from total strangers sometimes turn out to be reli-
gious events.
