Only about 12% of churches in South Korea are currently engaged in ministry to migrants, despite rapid growth in the country’s foreign-born population, according to a new nationwide survey reported by Christian Daily Korea.
The findings were released Feb. 10 by the Mokhoi Data Research Institute, which reported that while participation remains limited, interest in expanding migrant ministry is widespread. Among churches already involved, 86% said they plan to broaden their outreach.
South Korea is home to about 2.58 million foreign residents, roughly 5% of the total population, yet organized church engagement with migrants has not kept pace, the report said.
The survey, titled “Domestic Migrant Mission Survey,” was conducted jointly by the Mokhoi Data Research Institute and Hope Friend Korea Food for the Hungry, with research carried out by G&Com Research Co. It included responses from 1,655 participants, including leaders of migrant mission organizations, pastors involved in migrant ministry, senior pastors nationwide, and adult church members. Data were collected online between May 15 and June 10, 2025.
Among pastors surveyed, 12% said their churches are currently involved in migrant ministry, while 21% said they had participated in the past but are no longer active. In total, about one-third of churches reported having some experience with migrant-focused ministry.
Pastors cited proximity as the leading reason for starting such work, with 38% saying ministry began naturally because migrants lived nearby. Others pointed to encouragement or requests from others (14%) or experience gained after returning from overseas missionary service (10%).
For churches already serving migrants, the most common factors drawing migrants to attend were worship services in their native languages or the availability of interpretation (45%), followed by active evangelism efforts (39%) and practical assistance such as relief and daily living support (32%). Regular personal contact and relationship-building were identified as the most effective ministry approach.
Foreign workers made up the largest group served, at 78%, followed by international students (52%) and marriage migrants (46%). Most migrants served came from China, including ethnic Koreans, and Southeast Asia, accounting for about 90% of those reached. A majority were in their 20s and 30s.
Among churches already engaged in migrant ministry, 68% said the share of migrant members in their congregations is increasing. More broadly, 92% of church members surveyed said migrant ministry is necessary, and 68% of members in churches not currently involved said they would be willing to participate if such ministry were launched.
Migrant mission organizations identified shortages of personnel and volunteers (30%) and financial constraints (28%) as their biggest challenges. Still, 87% said cooperation with local churches has been helpful to their work.
Despite current participation levels, the research institute said the combination of strong expansion plans among churches and high willingness among church members suggests migrant ministry could become a significant area of focus for South Korean churches in the years ahead.
