Paju, South Korea;- A massive crowd of 25,000 gathered near the Gyeonggi Provincial Government in a peaceful protest against the last-minute cancellation of a Shincheonji Church event at Paju Imjingak Peace Park in the city of Paju, South Korea.
The event, originally scheduled for the end of last month, was cancelled by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization on grounds of escalating tensions near the North Korean border.
The cancelled gathering, titled the “Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony,” was expected to host 6,400 international religious leaders and Shincheonji members, but after months of preparation, over 11,000 Shincheonji staff were abruptly halted, with the cancellation notice issued just one day before the event.
Shincheonji representatives accused the authorities of religious discrimination, noting that other events at the Peace Park were allowed to proceed. “Gyeonggi Provincial Government and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization suddenly cancelled the venue booking on the 29th of last month, citing concerns about North Korean tensions,” Lee Gi-won, General Secretary of Shincheonji argued.
The cancellation, he said, “was one-sided and constitutes religious oppression, as other events scheduled for the Peace Park were allowed to proceed while only Shincheonji’s event was cancelled.”
Gi-won added; “Even when Paju was designated as a ‘danger zone’ due to heightened tensions with North Korea, we repeatedly inquired with the relevant authorities and received assurances that there were no plans to cancel our event.”
He further criticized the authorities for ignoring laws and principles by sending the cancellation notice just one day before the event.
Responding to the Shincheonji church claims, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization defended its decision, citing the proximity of the venue to the North Korean border and heightened military tensions. The organisation spokesperson also pointed out that the event’s use of aerial displays and fireworks risked further provocation.
To manage the protest, the police deployed a force of 400 officers from six mobile units around the Gwanggyo Central Park and roads near the provincial government building to ensure safety in case of any incidents.
They also blocked several lanes on roads from the second gate of the provincial government building to the north gate, but no significant clashes occurred during the protest.
Following the protest, Shincheonji now says they plan to send an official letter to the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, demanding an apology and compensation for the damages incurred. The church vowed to continue its mission of global healing and advocacy for religious freedom.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony testifies to the revelation and things that have been seen and heard according to God’s will and is working to heal all nations.
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