“Stop Biased Religious Oppression”, Shincheonji Sounds the Alarm on Religious Suppression of Politics and Protestantism
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“All citizens of this land are equal, and religious freedom is never a subject of negotiation. We will fight to the end for the day when we can freely practise our faith without discrimination.”
These words reverberated in the streets and sidewalks surrounding the Gyeonggi Provincial Office in the Republic of Korea on 15th November. A crowd of about 25,000 members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus expressed a strong will to protect religious freedom and rights.
The believers who gathered from all over the country, including Seoul, Busan and Daegu, began to gather in groups of three or five in the Gyeonggi Provincial Office building area from the morning. They began to fill the plaza at 10am, two hours before the start of the rally, and 30 minutes before the start of the rally, a crowd of about 25,000 people filled the streets and sidewalks near the Gyeonggi Provincial Office building.
The 25,000 believers in attendance wore red headbands with the words “Stop biased religious oppression” written on them, wore white masks with phrases such as “No biased administration” written on them, and held picket signs with the words “We, Shincheonji, are also citizens - stop ignoring and discriminating us.”
The rally, which began with the opening declaration, national anthem, and reading of the statement, was live-streamed on YouTube.
The protest stems from the sudden cancellation of a planned event at Imjingak Peace Park in Paju by Shincheonji Church, the 'International Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony', in October. Shincheonji had gone through the proper procedures and received approval for the rental from October 29 to 31, but the Seoul Metropolitan Christian Council (SMCC) held a press conference on October 28th and requested the cancellation of the rental, and the next day, they received a notice of cancellation. Shincheonji strongly protested, saying that this was a discriminatory measure due to pressure from a specific religious group. According to Shincheonji, the cost of preparing for the event, in addition to the venue rental fee, amounted to approximately 20 billion won (c.£12 million).
The 12 tribe leaders of Shincheonji Church of Jesus who attended the rally went up to the stage and strongly condemned the Gyeonggi Provincial Government.
The head of the John Tribe protested, “Article 20, Clause 1 of the Constitution states, “All citizens shall enjoy freedom of religion,” and Paragraph 2 states, “No state religion shall be recognised, and church and state shall be separated.” However, Gyeonggi Province and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, in conjunction with the Seoul Metropolitan Christian Council, have carried out biased religious oppression against Shincheonji. This is a violation of the Constitution and a clear crime. We cannot bear this anger, so we have taken to the streets!“
The head of the Peter Tribe criticised, “Before the event, there were continuous complaints and protests from Protestants, and on October 28th, a ‘protest to cancel the Shincheonji event’ was held.” He continued, “The next day, we received confirmation that the venue had been cancelled. Civil servants and public corporations, who are supposed to remain neutral, are colluding with religion to commit unconstitutional and illegal acts.”
He added, “This is blatant ‘religious oppression,’” and, “Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization are blinded by political interests, trying to divide the people in two and drive the Republic of Korea to ruin.”
The head of the Simon Tribe lamented, “After the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization designated Paju as a risk area on October 16th due to security threats, the Paju Gaesung Ginseng Festival (November 19-20) and the speaker demonstration (November 4) were held normally,” adding, “It is clearly biased administration alone that led to the cancellation of the event by Shincheonji. Who will compensate for this injustice and sense of loss?”
He continued, “Shincheonji members are proud citizens of the Republic of Korea who abide by the Constitution and respect religious freedom,” and strongly urged, “The Gyeonggi Provincial Government and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization should cease religious and human rights oppression and offer a sincere apology and compensation.”
The head of the Seoul James Tribe said, “This event was one that even world religious leaders and visitors from outside the country had adjusted their schedules in advance to attend. It is an embarrassment to see the disappointment of foreign figures who entered South Korea with high expectations.” He raised his voice, saying, “This incident is an unheard-of biased administration from the perspective of foreigners, and this is a disgrace to South Korea.”
Finally, the head of the Matthias Tribe said, “The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization said twice that there was no problem with the rental, so why did they cancel the rental? Who gave them what instructions?” and “The Gyeonggi Provincial Government must answer whether this cancellation of the rental was the arbitrary decision of the Gyeonggi Provincial Governor or whether it was cancelled under pressure from Protestant groups to gain political votes.”
Yang-seok Park (74), who has lived near the Gyeonggi Provincial Office his entire life, said, “It is an abuse of administrative power to block an event that even invited foreign dignitaries,” and “This is a clear case of tyranny.” He continued, “The Gyeonggi Provincial governor must issue a personal apology. He must clearly take responsibility for cancelling a major event the day before.”
On that day, the entire congregation of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, through a resolution, urged an end to political discrimination using religion and the establishment of institutional measures; a sincere apology from Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong-yeon Kim and fair compensation for damages from Gyeonggi Tourism Organization; and a guarantee of freedom of religion.
After the rally, Shincheonji Church of Jesus visited the Gyeonggi Provincial Office and delivered a letter of protest.
It remains to be seen whether the administrative violence of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization will cease the unilateral oppression of Shincheonji and whether the Republic of Korea will become a true country governed by law and respect freedom of religion.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus announced that it plans to continue relay gatherings starting from that day.
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