Скачать или смотреть Religious Freedom Under Fire: South Korea's Growing Crisis

In September 2025, two prominent religious figures in South Korea were detained amid international scrutiny.

Dr. Hak Ja Han, the 82-year-old co-founder of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, was reportedly taken from a hospital bed while recovering from heart surgery to face politically motivated bribery charges.

Pastor Son Hyun-bo of Busan's Segyero Church was arrested for election law violations after interviewing a political candidate during a church service.

Both cases have sparked fierce debate over the boundary between legitimate law enforcement and religious persecution.

Historical patterns show that targeting religious leaders often precedes broader authoritarian measures. Romania under Ceaușescu and Venezuela under Chávez both attacked faith communities before press freedoms collapsed and democratic institutions crumbled.

Critics of South Korea's trajectory under President Lee Jae-myung cite proposed laws threatening prison for criticizing China, suppression of conservative media, and pressure on religious groups as warning signs of similar drift.

The international response has been strong—figures like former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have condemned the detentions.

Supporters hold nightly vigils outside detention facilities, and Pastor Son's congregation has shaved their heads in protest, echoing Korean resistance traditions from the Japanese occupation era.

The outcome of these cases may signal whether religious freedom remains a cornerstone of East Asian democracy.

When governments restrict religious expression, where does it end—and who decides which beliefs are acceptable?