The Shintō Shrine Conflict and Protestant Martyrs in Korea, 1938–1945

Abstract

From 1930 to 1945, the Japanese colonial government of Korea pursued a policy of requiring attendance at the rituals of the State Shintō cult. Failure to comply met with severe punishment with 50 Koreans being known to have died as a result of their opposition to shrine worship. Although unquestionably holding nationalistic sentiments, these martyrs died as a result of their religious rather than their political beliefs. Refusal to comply with the colonial regime's demands led to differences within the Christian community, which in turn led to the subsequent creation of denominations which separated themselves from groups which were perceived to have compromised their Christian witness.