International Pastors Disheartened by Sudden Cancellation of Religious Leaders Forum in South Korea
On October 29, an abrupt decision by a South Korean government agency led to the cancellation of the Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony in Paju, South Korea. This large-scale event, set to host over 30,000 participants from 57 countries—including religious leaders from Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism—was meant to be a historic gathering for interfaith understanding. Instead, the unexpected cancellation caused international concern, with many calling it a targeted act of discrimination against Shincheonji Church of Jesus and its affiliated organizations.
Many international pastors, who had traveled to South Korea to participate, were left shocked by the decision. Arriving only hours before the event, they were informed on the morning of the forum’s scheduled start that the gathering had been canceled without prior warning. One pastor shared, “I felt deeply saddened and disheartened; it’s a setback for global religious dialogue and mutual respect.”
Allegations of Religious Discrimination Against Shincheonji Church of Jesus
The Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony was a collaboration between the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. For months, these organizations had prepared the event to foster dialogue among global faith leaders on shared values of peace and cooperation. Organizers received confirmation from South Korean authorities as recently as October 23 and 28 that the event would proceed as planned. However, in an unexpected move, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a public entity in South Korea’s Gyeonggi Province, revoked the event’s venue permissions, prompting concerns of discriminatory practices.
The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization cited regional security concerns, involving recent North Korean actions and activities planned by a North Korean refugee group. Yet other scheduled events in the region, including local bicycle tours and visits to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), went ahead as planned. This inconsistency has led organizers to conclude that the decision specifically targeted Shincheonji, in violation of the principle of state-religion separation and South Korea’s own constitutional protections of religious freedom.
Calls for Action and International Attention
This incident has raised ongoing questions about religious freedom and tolerance in South Korea, especially concerning Shincheonji and its affiliates. In recent years, reports—including the U.S. State Department’s annual report on religious freedom—have flagged concerns regarding the Shincheonji Church, noting various legal and social pressures placed upon its members.
The Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and the Shincheonji Church of Jesus have since called upon the South Korean government to reverse the decision and uphold human rights and religious freedom. They are urging international organizations to monitor the situation closely and support protections of religious freedom for Shincheonji and all affiliated groups.