Coercive conversion is a programme established and implemented by so-called Christian pastors in Korea who kidnap, confine, and subject their victims to violence in an attempt to force them to renounce their religious beliefs. It is a clear violation of Article 20 of the Constitution of South Korea in which “all citizens enjoy the freedom of religion” and the basic universal human right to the freedom of religion. The victims of this programme are those who neither belong to the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) nor to the traditional churches in Korea.
The so-called 'Christian pastors' involved in coercive conversion programmes deceive parents into believing that their child has joined a cult to the extent that parents then commit physical and emotional violence on their children. The impact is shocking. According to the Human Rights Association for Victims of Coercive Conversion Programs (HVRAC?), figures from 2003-2017 show that more than 500 people have been kidnapped, confined and indoctrinated against their will. Why has the Korean government not made any mention of this?
Moreover, these programmes have caused two deaths. In 2007, a woman was hammered to death by her husband for having refused to renounce her beliefs and sign up to the forced conversion programme. More recently, 27-year-old Ms. Ji-In Gu was suffocated to death (read link below).
Rallies for the enactment of a law that prohibits coercive conversion programmes have been held in over 30 countries, but the Korean government remains silent. Victims of these programmes are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. Who will compensate for their loss?
Main Article
About Coercive Religious Conversion Program
R.I.P Ms. Ji-In Gu
we need to concern about human rights not to make victims by discrimination
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