The Shincheonji (New Heaven New Earth) Church of Jesus, along with the Korean Association for National Unification Buddhism, had planned a significant Religious Leaders’ Forum and Graduation Ceremony at Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. The event was set to draw tens of thousands of participants from around the world. With formal approval in place, the venue had been reserved from October 29 to 31 to accommodate this highly anticipated gathering. However, in an unexpected and last-minute move, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation cancelled the reservation on October 29, just one day before the main ceremony, citing security concerns.
“This last-minute cancellation is an act of administrative tyranny,” a Shincheonji representative stated. “The Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation did not consult us, nor did they provide any reasonable explanation. This decision not only disrupts an event that has been in preparation for months but also disregards the considerable investment, amounting to over 20 billion KRW, that was made to ensure a safe and successful gathering for our members.”
The Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation justified the abrupt decision by pointing to the designation of danger zones around Paju and the potential disturbance from a North Korean defector organisation’s planned leaflet launch. However, Shincheonji emphasised that both the danger zones and the leaflet activity were known well in advance.
“We were given no objections until the last possible moment,” the representative continued. “Instead of working with us to address any concerns, the authorities chose to notify us of the cancellation just as the event was about to begin.”
According to Shincheonji, the failure to communicate or consider alternative arrangements has forced them to reroute tens of thousands of attendees to alternative venues across Korea and internationally.
“This is more than just an administrative misstep,” the spokesperson stressed. “It’s a violation of our constitutional rights to religious freedom and equal treatment. This type of unconstitutional administrative abuse cannot and should not be ignored.”
Shincheonji representatives believe the cancellation was influenced by orders from higher authorities, claiming, “We suspect that unjust orders came not just from the tourism organisation but from the Gyeonggi Provincial Government itself. This unfair treatment highlights a concerning bias and interference in religious practices.”
In response to the decision, Shincheonji has called for the Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation to retract the cancellation and collaborate on a transparent solution. “We will pursue all necessary legal and administrative actions to hold those responsible accountable,” they affirmed. “We cannot allow such significant infringements on our rights to go unchallenged.”
With the event now set to continue across various local Shincheonji branches, including the upcoming large-scale ceremony in South Africa, Shincheonji remains committed to ensuring the 110,000 graduates worldwide celebrate their milestone.
“Despite these challenges, we will proceed in unity,” the representative concluded. “The light, spirit and purpose of this ceremony remain unwavering, and we look forward to making it a meaningful occasion.”
