NEW YORK, NY, November 02, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On October 29th, a decision made by a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy, raising concerns about religious freedom.

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 57 countries, including 1,000 religious leaders representing Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.

However, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a public entity under Gyeonggi Province, abruptly canceled the venue rental without prior notice. This last-minute decision resulted in significant financial losses. Organizers of the event stated that the cancellation constitutes an unconstitutional act of discrimination, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law.

The hosting organizations, the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, said that they had received official confirmation on October 23rd and 28th that there were no plans to cancel the rental. They also said that the cancellation was an unreasonable administrative action targeting a specific religious group. They further emphasize that other events scheduled for the same day were not affected, suggesting that the cancellation was an "administrative decision caused by opposition from a specific religious group," which "violates the principle of separation of church and state guaranteed by the Constitution."

The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization cited security concerns related to recent North Korean actions and the planned activities of a North Korean defector group as reasons for the cancellation. However, it was pointed out that other events, such as civilian bike rides and foreign tourist visits, were permitted within the same designated area.

The incident has reignited international debate about religious freedom and tolerance in South Korea. The U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report has previously highlighted concerns such as the persecution of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the government's refusal to approve mosque construction.

The Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus call upon the South Korean government to respect religious freedom, uphold human rights, and rectify this unjust decision. They urge international organizations to monitor this situation and take appropriate action to protect religious freedom.

Related Link:
https://www.scjamericas.org

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