ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of ways that the profession of social work in the Republic of Korea engages with spirituality in its diverse religious and philosophical forms. The Korean understanding of the English term 'social work' also varies from what is understood in some other countries. Korean social workers must be prepared to work with people who are nonreligious, with religiously affiliated people from religions that are long established, and with people affiliated with Islam and other religions not previously widespread in South Korea. Buddhism moved from India to China and then into Korea about 2,000 years ago. Protestantism was introduced in the latter 1880s. After the Joseon Dynasty, the influence of Christianity grew, including in nationalist movements against Japanese occupation. Shamanism is the most ancient indigenous tradition of Korea. The contemporary stance of the profession of Korean social work on spiritual diversity has several features.
