In accordance with the firm will that “we can no longer tolerate an administration that directly violates the Constitution that guarantees religious freedom,” the leaders of the 12 tribes of Shincheonji Church of Jesus have taken the lead in strongly condemning the decision by the Gyeonggi Provincial Governor Dong-yeon Kim and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization through protest rallies that began on the 15th as a large-scale 30,000-strong protest rally held in front of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office.

More recently, 0n the 27th, at noon, in freezing temperatures and sleet blowing, 2000 believers of Shincheonji Church of Jesus from the Andrew and John tribes - representing a demographic of professions including doctors, teachers, nurses, and university students - gathered for the sixth relay rally. Protestors were holding pickets that read, “What kind of biased religious oppression is this!”

On that day, the head of the Andrew tribe strongly criticised the actions of Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong-yeon Kim through a press conference. He raised suspicions that Governor Kim was in collusion with the Seoul Metropolitan Christian Council and emphasised that “Shincheonji Church of Jesus members are also citizens of the Republic of Korea and residents of Gyeonggi Province who pay taxes.” He continued, “How can the governor say that he loves the residents while suppressing the rights of the people?”

The head of the John Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus said in a statement, “The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic and a country governed by the rule of law. Article 20, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution stipulate that all citizens have freedom of religion and that religion and politics are separate.” He continued, “However, our Shincheonji Church of Jesus is suffering from the oppression of religion and biased administration in the 21st century Republic of Korea, which is unjustly depriving us of our rights guaranteed by the Constitution.”

He said, “Is this behaviour of suddenly cancelling the use of a venue that was legitimately applied for for Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ 110,000 graduation ceremony on the day of the event the realisation of a fair society free from discrimination?”

He added, “To President Won-yong Cho, who thinks he can avoid responsibility by hiding under a dark lamp, we have gathered again today to condemn your unjust behaviour and silence,” and asked, “Why are you pretending not to hear, not to see, and not to hear the people’s appeal? Is this fair and just?”

Meanwhile, a petition on the Gyeonggi Provincial titled, “We request a public apology and compensation for the damages caused by Governor Dong-yeon Kim’s unfair decision to cancel the venue” has far surpassed the 10,000 signatures required for a response, and as of that day, garnered nearly 50,000 signatures.

Meanwhile, Shincheonji Church of Jesus plans to continue holding protest rallies until the following demands are met: an official apology from Gyeonggi authorities, accountability through appropriate disciplinary action, fair policies to ensure unbiased venue management, and preventive measures to stop future discrimination.

The initial 30,000-strong protest rally held on the 15th has been followed by relay protest rallies held in the following order: on the 18th (Gyeonggi Provincial Office: Bartholomew Tribe), on the 20th (Gyeonggi Provincial Office: Seoul James Tribe, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization: John Tribe), on the 22nd (Gyeonggi Provincial Office: Peter Tribe, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization: John Tribe), on the 25th (Gyeonggi Provincial Office: Simon Tribe, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization: John Tribe), and on the 27th (Gyeonggi Provincial Office: Andrew Tribe, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization: John Tribe).