Shincheonji: “If Gyeonggi Provincial Governor Dong-yeon Kim Does Not Apologise, We Will Continue to Protest”

 

At the conclusion of the 25,000-strong 'Rally to Denounce Religious Persecution' held by Shincheonji Church of Jesus in front of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office at noon on Saturday, 16th November, the speaker said, “If Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong-yeon Kim does not show a responsible position and does not apologise (for the order to cancel the venue rental), we will continue to rally.”

Following the rally on that day, Shincheonji Church of Jesus delivered a letter of protest to the Gyeonggi Provincial Office, and had a meeting. The Gyeonggi Province and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization said, “We are sorry” for cancelling the Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony scheduled for October 30th at Imjingak Peace Park in Paju on the 29th, and reiterated their previous position that “it was due to security reasons.”

Shincheonji Church of Jesus maintains that other events were held at the Peace Park and that the cancellation is due to “biased administration and religious oppression.”

A Shincheonji Church of Jesus official emphasised, “After the Seoul Metropolitan Christian Council (SCC) held a protest, Governor Dong-yeon Kim decided to cancel the venue,” and, “We cannot help but think of this as Governor Dong-yeon Kim’s religious bias and oppression. Why is the decision-maker himself not providing any explanation about this?”

Following the interview, Shincheonji Church of Jesus' External Affairs Director explained, “The unfair decision to cancel the same-day event was ordered by Gyeonggi Provincial Governor Dong-yeon Kim, so if he does not apologise and take responsibility for it, we will continue to hold protest rallies.”

Article 20, Clause 1 of the Korean Constitution states, “All citizens shall enjoy freedom of religion,” and Clause 2 states, “No state religion shall be recognised, and church and state shall be separated.”

Shincheonji Church of Jesus plans to continue holding relay rallies in front of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization until Governor Dong-yeon Kim and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization take responsibility, issue an apology, and compensate for the damages suffered by Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

Source: vo.la/XqAysf