SEOUL, South Korea — A shocking decision by a South Korean local government to cancel an international religious event has sparked widespread outrage and reignited concerns about religious freedom in the country.
The “Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony,” slated to take place in Paju, was expected to draw over 30,000 participants from 57 countries, including 1,000 religious leaders representing Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.
However, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, under Gyeonggi Province, abruptly canceled the venue rental without prior notice, citing security concerns related to recent North Korean actions and the planned activities of a North Korean defector group. This last-minute decision has resulted in significant financial damage to the international event.
Organizers, including the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, condemned the cancellation as an unconstitutional act of discrimination against a specific religion, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law. They emphasized that other events scheduled for the same day were not affected, suggesting the cancellation targeted a specific religious group.
Critics argue that the cancellation violates the principle of separation of church and state guaranteed by the Constitution. The U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report has previously highlighted concerns about the prosecution of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the government’s refusal to approve mosque construction.
South Korea’s human rights record has faced scrutiny, with concerns over pervasive and systemic discrimination against various groups.
The Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus urge the South Korean government to respect religious freedom, uphold human rights, and rectify this unjust decision. They also call on international organizations to monitor the situation and protect religious freedom.
As tensions rise, South Korea’s reputation as a democracy respecting civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights is under intense scrutiny.
