Latest global media coverage of “coercive conversion” by the Christian Council of Korea (CCK)

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. (Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

In the latest coverage following the death of Ms. Ji-In Gu from the practice of “coercive conversion”, the Washington Post has published an article, dated December 4th 2018, entitled “Two dead, thousands kidnapped through CCK’s coercive religious conversion program.”

“Coercive conversion" programmes have swept through many churches in South Korea, particularly those connected to the Christian Council of Korea (CCK). Within such programmes, pastors assume a role as “conversion trainers” whereby - in exchange for a significant fee - they advise parents to take various physically, emotionally and psychologically violent methods to convince their child to convert from lesser known religions to that of the Korean Presbyterian church. Parents are even told to sedate their child before being taken to an isolated location where they meet their conversion trainers.

The CCK has founded the “Heresy Research Center” to run coercive conversion programmes in the name of “counselling”. As Ms. Ji Hye Choi, HAC Co-President, says, "The problem is that conversion program leaders call the program 'counseling,' masking their true intent for the opportunity of financial profit.” Indeed, one CCK minister has even received up to $894,425USD for their guidance. She continued, “The consequences are destructive: mental trauma, fear, strained family relationships, divorce, job loss, school dropout and even death."

Such a practice clearly violates religious freedoms enshrined within both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 20 of the Constitution of South Korea, but more so, it constitutes a violation of one's basic human rights. A petition has been signed by up to 140,000 people on a government website, but it has been removed and the government has, of yet, not released a single statement following the death of Ms. Ji-In Gu.

In order to join the fight against the CCK’s violation of human rights and their practice of “coercive conversion”, please visit www.endcoerciveconversion.org