Official Statement by Shincheonji Church of Jesus on Abrupt Cancellation of World of Peace Park in Paju, Korea

 

A blatant act in the face of Korea’s Constitution that upholds religious freedom—Gyeonggi-do Government of the South Korean province and its public agency for tourism, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, committed a reprehensible act that is unjustifiable on any account—an act of religious discrimination.

It seems the Gyeonggi-do government and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization have questionable views on where our country should be heading. Blinded by the political interest of the few, such decisions and actions that divide the nation, divide a religion, and could potentially lead the country into ruin begs the question of whether that is their objective.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus reserved the Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Park (the name translates to World of Peace Park) from October 29 to 31 to host the Religious Leaders’ Forum and its Graduation Ceremony on the 30th. Hundreds of thousands, including graduates and religious leaders, arrived in Korea to attend the fully prepared, full-fledged international event that cost tens of billions of Korean Won in preparation. However, on October 29, the first day of the scheduled use of the venue, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization sent a surprise notification. They were canceling the venue reservation without any prior talks with the church. It is a complete mistreatment by a public agency toward its own people, and the display of illegitimate action seriously harmed the national standing of the Republic of Korea. How does one even explain to the religious leaders who traveled from their home countries to Korea to attend or to the graduates when something like this is done? While Korea boasts Hallyu and hails globalization, Gyeonggi-do’s actions have become a source of national disgrace, bringing shame on an international scale by committing religious persecution. Are those accountable trying to prod Shincheonji Church of Jesus to rally against them?

All administrative procedures had been completed accordingly. After the venue lease was authorized on July 22, the payment was completed by October 2. At working-level meetings with the authorizers on October 16, the details were revised, including the scale of the event, floor plans, safety plans, and plans for special effects fireworks. Gyeonggi Tourism Organization deliberated all event details and completed a safety inspection. The same day, the news reported that Gyeonggi-do had designated Paju City as a danger zone. When asked about it, authorizers responded that the designation was to prevent any anti-North Korean flyers from the region and was unrelated to the event scheduled at the venue. There was no prior notice or regulation related to the designation or to the church’s inquiries of any changes. Moreover, the people in charge of the venue officially confirmed twice, on October 23 and then on 28, that they had no intention of canceling the venue authorization.

A government body or public agency authorizes an event to be held at a venue, an event fully proofed with safety assessments, then suddenly cancels the venue on the very day of the event following opposition from a certain religious group, then decides to use the pretext of “provocation against North Korea.” This significantly discredits the agency of public administration, and at the same time, those actions are the kind of actions that create a divide among the people and the nation it is mandated to serve. Furthermore, Gyeonggi-do Governor Kim Dong-yeon ordered the cancellation of the venue based on a thin premise of “provoking the North,” while other events took place at the exact location with no issue. An administrative action swayed by opposing opinions from a certain religious group directly violates the constitutional principle of the Separation of the Churches and the State and is an unconstitutional act profoundly deplorable in a democracy.

Is it the Gyeonggi provincial government and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization’s intent to drive Shincheonji Church of Jesus out of this land? It is unheard of for a public entity to overturn its own administrative action influenced by a disgruntled religious organization. We are rightful citizens of this country. We have no reason to be discriminated against in lawfully utilizing a public facility that is operated with our tax money.

We cannot tolerate discrimination any longer. After years of tireless efforts to find amicable solutions, such disappointing outcomes are enough to drive the church's people to the streets to protect their rights and demand justice.

People at Shincheonji Church of Jesus are not second-class citizens who deserve discrimination or high-handedness, nor should there be any such thing as a second-class citizen. If those responsible believe their bias and persecution would spell peace for the nation, they are mistaken.

With grave concern, the people of Shincheonji Church request the following: Gyeonggi-do provincial government and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization must provide the people of Korea with a reasonable cause and rationale for its cancellation in detail; issue an official apology to all members of the church and the guests invited from home and abroad; and immediately stop discrimination based on religion in administrative actions. We, the people of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, expect a responsible reply and will otherwise seek all legal measures to resolve the issue while hundreds of thousands of church members could take to the streets demanding answers. International human rights groups will hear detailed accounts of the religious discrimination taking place in Korea, and so will civil and criminal courts.

Every citizen of the nation holds equal rights, and freedom of religion is non-negotiable. Shincheonji Church of Jesus and its congregation will see to it that everyone enjoys freedom of religion without discrimination.

Nov. 01, 2024.

Shincheonji, Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony