The sudden cancellation of an event organised by the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Gyeonggi Province on 30 October has sparked outrage and mass protests.

The “Religious Leaders Forum and Completion Ceremony,” scheduled to be held at Paju Imjingak Peace Nuri, was cancelled by provincial authorities on the morning of the event. Officials from Gyeonggi Province stated that security concerns prompted the last-minute decision, but Shincheonji Church representatives have challenged this justification, calling it unconstitutional and discriminatory. The church has vowed to continue protesting until they receive an official apology and accountability is addressed.

The cancellation was formally announced on 29 October, just a day before the event. While Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization expressed regret over the short notice, they defended the decision as a necessary precaution to address unspecified safety risks.

Shincheonji Church has dismissed this explanation, accusing the authorities of bowing to political pressure from external groups, particularly the Metropolitan Christian Council of Korea (MCCK), which has been a vocal critic of the church. Officials from Shincheonji claim they had received reassurances from venue management that no cancellation was planned, even the day before the event.

In response, the church held a peaceful rally on 15 November outside the Gyeonggi Provincial Office. The protest involved the submission of a formal letter of complaint and a meeting between Shincheonji representatives and officials from the provincial government and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization.

During the discussions, Chief Public Relations Officer Song Jae-Woong expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and public explanation for the cancellation. Provincial officials reiterated that the decision was made to protect public safety, but Song criticised the short notice and demanded a formal statement of responsibility from the governor. The church has also signalled its intent to seek compensation for financial damages caused by the cancellation.

The controversy has fuelled broader debates around religious freedom and potential discrimination. Shincheonji Church leaders argue that the decision violates Article 20 of South Korea’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.

Protesters at the rally also raised concerns about government interference in religious matters. “The decision to cancel the event, especially under the influence of external religious groups, raises serious questions about the protection of religious freedoms in South Korea,” said one protester.

Shincheonji Church has announced plans for ongoing protests outside the Gyeonggi Provincial Office and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization until their grievances are resolved.