Shincheonji Church Graduation Ceremony Relocated Amid Controversy Over Venue Cancellation

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus faced unexpected challenges as its planned 'Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony' was abruptly relocated due to a last-minute venue cancellation by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization. The event, originally set to take place at Imjingak Peace Nuri in Paju, South Korea, was instead held at the Shincheonji Cheongju Church on November 30, 2024, amidst controversy and allegations of religious discrimination.

Chairman Man-hee Lee of Shincheonji Church expressed deep concern over the incident, calling on the government and officials to prevent religious oppression in the country. "There should never be any religious oppression in our country," Lee stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining South Korea's progress as a prosperous nation while striving to become "a country recognized by God" and "a country of love without conflict."

The cancellation came as a shock to organizers, with overseas participants already arrived and an estimated 20 billion won invested in event preparations. The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization's decision to cancel the rental on November 29, just one day before the event, was made without prior consultation with the event organizers. This sudden action has raised questions about the influence of Protestant groups opposed to Shincheonji Church's growth and the potential involvement of political entities sensitive to these pressures.

Chairman Lee highlighted the constitutional separation of politics and religion in South Korea, questioning the legality and ethics of the cancellation. "It is in our country's constitution that politics and religion must be separated," he reminded, invoking Article 1, Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Constitution, which affirm that sovereignty resides with the people and that South Korea is a democratic republic.

The incident has sparked a broader discussion on religious freedom and the role of public institutions in upholding constitutional rights. A Shincheonji Church official described the cancellation as "very deplorable" and suggested that if administrative agencies and public institutions made this decision based on religious bias, it could be considered an unconstitutional act.

The church is now considering legal action to address the significant financial and logistical damages incurred due to the last-minute change. This situation underscores the delicate balance between religious freedom, public administration, and the influence of established religious groups in South Korean society.

As South Korea continues to navigate its role as a modern, democratic nation, incidents like this highlight the ongoing challenges in maintaining religious neutrality and protecting the rights of all religious groups, regardless of their size or popularity. The controversy surrounding the Shincheonji Church event serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding constitutional principles and fostering an environment of religious tolerance and diversity.

The relocation of the graduation ceremony and the subsequent statements by Chairman Lee have brought attention to the broader implications of religious freedom in South Korea. As the country strives to maintain its status as a progressive and inclusive society, the handling of such incidents will likely shape public perception and policy regarding the relationship between state, society, and religious organizations in the future.