Global Religious Leaders Protest Venue Cancellation in South Korea, Citing Concerns Over Religious Freedom

A coalition of global religious leaders and organizations has issued a joint protest statement condemning the South Korean government's abrupt cancellation of a significant international religious event. The cancellation, which occurred just hours before the event was set to begin, has ignited a fierce debate about religious freedom and administrative accountability in South Korea.

On October 30, the "Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony," organized by two prominent religious groups, was scheduled to take place in Paju, South Korea. The event was expected to draw over 30,000 participants from 78 countries, including 1,000 religious leaders representing various faiths such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism. However, at 11 pm on October 29, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO), a public entity under Gyeonggi Province, unexpectedly canceled the venue rental, citing security concerns related to recent North Korean actions.

The cancellation has led to significant financial and psychological damage for the organizers and international participants. In response, 402 organizations, 758 religious representatives, and 977 individuals from around the world have signed a joint protest statement. The statement, delivered to the South Korean government on November 27, argues that the cancellation constitutes an unconstitutional act of discrimination against a specific religion, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law.

The controversy has drawn attention to the broader implications for religious freedom and administrative transparency in South Korea. The protest statement demands an official apology from the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the GTO, as well as disciplinary actions against the officials responsible for the cancellation. It also calls for strengthening fair and transparent venue reservation procedures and preliminary consultation systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.

International law experts, including former prime ministers, vice ministers of justice, and chief justices, have weighed in on the matter, pointing out that the cancellation violates the South Korean Constitution. Article 20 of the Constitution explicitly states, "All citizens shall enjoy freedom of religion," making the GTO's actions particularly contentious.

The incident has raised questions about the influence of opposing religious groups on government decisions. Organizers allege that pressure from vested religious interests, including a rally hosted by a Christian council urging the cancellation, may have influenced the decision. This suggestion of religious bias in administrative actions has further fueled the controversy.

The cancellation's timing and circumstances have also come under scrutiny. Despite previous assurances from officials that the event would proceed as planned, even after Paju City was designated a danger zone due to potential North Korean provocations, the sudden reversal has led to skepticism about the cited security concerns. Notably, other events in the same area proceeded without disruption both before and after the canceled religious gathering.

As the controversy unfolds, it highlights the delicate balance between security concerns and religious freedoms, as well as the importance of transparent and fair administrative processes. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in protecting religious freedoms and the potential for administrative decisions to have far-reaching consequences on international relations and public trust in government institutions.