Gyeonggi Provincial Government’s sudden cancellation raises concerns of bias and violation of rights. AN administrative decision by a South Korean government agency for the sudden cancellation of the scheduled the religious leader’s forum and graduation ceremony last month has sparked internationalcontroversy, raising concerns about religious freedom.
On November 27, religious leaders and opinion leaders delivered a joint protest statement to the Government of the Republic of Korea condemning the cancellation of the venue rental on October 29th as an act of biased religious oppression through public power.
Signed by 402 organizations, 758 religious representatives, and 977 individuals across the globe, totaling 1,735 signatories, the statement emphasized the psychological and financial damage caused to the international participants and highlighted the need for accountability.
On October 30 the “Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony,” a joint initiative by two prominent religious organizations, was set to take place in Paju, South Korea. The event was expected to draw over 30,000 participants from 78 countries, including 1,000 religiousleaders representing Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.
However, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO), a public entity under Gyeonggi Province, abruptly canceled the venue rental at 11: 00 pm on the morning of the event, when preparations were already underway.
“This decision, made without prior notice, has resulted in significant financial damage to the international event and its organizers. As The first clause of Article 20 of the South Korean Constitution states says: All citizens shall enjoy freedom of religion,’’ part of the statement reads.
The statement contenders argue that the cancellation constitutes an unconstitutional act of discrimination against a specific religion, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law and an act that divides the people and divides the country into two.
The Joint Protest Statement demands accountability for the situation and has called for an official apology from the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the GTO to both domestic and international religious organizations and the global community.
It also demands he government to take appropriate disciplinary actions against the officials responsible for handling the matter and to strengthen fair and transparent venue reservation procedures and preliminary consultation systems.
Over 88 global leaders including international law experts, religious leaders, education experts, heads of organizations, journalists from around the world sent official documents and protest letters to the Republic of Korea upon hearing the news of the cancellation of the event, expressing shock and disappointment at this administrative action.
Those in demand of justice demand prompt and appropriate measures. In particular, international law experts from around the world, including those with experience as prime ministers, vice ministers of justice, chief justices of the Supreme Court, presidents of the Constitutional Court, lawyers, and Professors of international law, pointed out that the cancellation of the event on this day was an act that violated the Constitution.The religious leaders expressed concern that the action was biased decision and an anti-peaceful act that infringed on religious freedom.
Since November 15, Religious leaders and members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus have held rallies outside the Gyeonggi Provincial Office and GTO, condemning the biased cancellation urging the government to address the issue and take measures to prevent recurrence.
On December 15, approximately 300 members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Zambia, gathered in front of the church in Lusaka to protest the cancellation and showed solidarity with the international religious community.
The protest highlighted the global concern over the violation of religious freedom and the unjust nature of the cancellation. Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Zambia head instructor Jaemin Lee said the impact of the decision to cancel the gathering on religious freedom and the broader global implications were grave.
He said the event was an important gathering with participants from 78 countries and that they were looking forward to participating in the event in Korea.Mr Jaemin Lee said the cancellation of the gathering was a blatant violation of religious freedom. “South Korea’s Constitution clearly protects freedom of religion, yet this decision ignored that fundamental right,’’ he said.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Zambia Theology Department instructor Lazarous Pongolani said when his Church first heard of the cancellation of the event, they were in shock.“ It is hard to believe that something like this could happen in Korea, a country with such a strong international reputation for cultural influence. We expected the Korean government to uphold religious freedom, but this cancellation shows otherwise,’’ he said.
The person in charge of the Men’s Department at the same Church Lever Phiri said the matter at hand is bigger than just one Church. “This issue is much bigger than just one church or religious group. it affects the entire global community. Religious leaders from around the world are deeply impacted by this decision, and it sends a dangerous message about the state of religious freedom in South Korea,’’ he said.
Ms Regina Phiri who is in charge of the Women’s Department, added, “The cancellation of the event onthe very day it was set to take place was an injustice of the highest order. Such a decision cannot be justified. It directly violates religious freedom, and we call on the global community to unite against this kind of religious oppression. People everywhere have the right to practice their religion freely, and this incident undermines that right.”
Former Education officer for Lusaka Province Dr Allan Lingambe and Emmanuel Sakala from Zambia National Students Union, joined by eight journalists and education experts, expressed their dismay over the cancellation of the event.
The statement explains that on July 22, a notification of approval for the rental from 29 th to 31 st October by GTO was made and that on October 2, a full payment of the rental fee was made.
But on October 29 while event was being set up, the Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon unilaterally notified the cancellation, citing security concerns related to recent North Korean actions and alleged activities by a North Korean defector group. The Organisers allege that between October 19-20, 2024 and November 4, 2024, notably, other events in the same area proceeded without disruption.
