An unexpected administrative decision by a South Korean local government has sparked an international backlash, with implications for religious freedom and raising concerns over perceived discrimination. The “Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony,” a large-scale event organised by two leading religious bodies, was set to welcome 30,000 attendees from 57 countries, including prominent leaders from Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism. However, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization abruptly cancelled the venue booking without notice, claiming “security concerns” due to recent North Korean activity.
The event was scheduled to be held in Paju, near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and the cancellation came despite organisers having received assurances on October 23rd and 28th that the venue was secure. The late notice has left organisers with considerable financial losses and thousands of participants unable to attend. The Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, who were behind the event, argue that the cancellation is an unconstitutional move that infringes on their right to religious freedom. They allege that the decision targeted a specific religious group, emphasising that other scheduled events, including civilian bike rides and foreign tourism activities, were permitted to continue within the same vicinity.
The organisers suggest that the cancellation may have stemmed from opposition by another religious group, raising questions about the separation of church and state. They argue this action compromises the principles of religious tolerance and human rights. South Korea has faced scrutiny in recent years on similar issues; the U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report has highlighted cases involving Shincheonji Church of Jesus, including prosecutions and denied mosque construction applications.
In response, the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus are calling on the South Korean government to uphold religious freedoms, remedy the cancellation, and respect constitutional guarantees of separation between church and state. The organisations have urged global bodies to monitor this case and take steps to protect religious rights.
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