Dispute Over Cancelled International Event Causes Damage to South Korea’s Reputation
On October 29, a last-minute administrative decision made by a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy and raised concerns over religious freedom. The decision resulted in considerable financial loss and caused damage to South Korea’s reputation.
The event in question was the “Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony,” a joint initiative by two prominent religious organizations. It was scheduled to take place in Paju, South Korea, and was expected to attract over 30,000 participants from 57 countries, including 1,000 religious leaders representing Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.
However, on October 23 and 28, the hosting organizations, the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, received official confirmation that there were no plans to cancel the event. Despite this, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a public entity under Gyeonggi Province, abruptly cancelled the venue rental without prior notice. This sudden decision caused significant financial damage to the event and raised concerns about discrimination against a particular religion, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law.
Organizers of the event have stated that the cancellation was an unconstitutional act and emphasized that other events scheduled for the same day were not affected. They believe that the cancellation was a targeted and unreasonable administrative action influenced by opposition from a specific religious group. This act, they argue, violates the principle of separation of church and state guaranteed by the Constitution.
The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization cited security concerns related to recent North Korean actions and the planned activities of a North Korean defector group as reasons for the cancellation. However, it was noted that other events, such as civilian bike rides and foreign tourist visits to the DMZ, were allowed within the same designated area.
This incident has reignited international debate about religious freedom and tolerance in South Korea. The U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report has previously raised concerns about the prosecution of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the government’s refusal to approve the construction of a mosque.
The Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and the Shincheonji Church of Jesus are calling on the South Korean government to respect religious freedom, uphold human rights, and reverse this unjust decision. They also urge international organizations to monitor the situation and take appropriate action to protect religious freedom.
This dispute has caused significant damage to South Korea’s reputation and has raised questions about the country’s commitment to religious freedom. As the situation unfolds, it is essential for the government to address these concerns and rectify the damage caused.
This news story was distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ on Thursday, November 7, 2024.