US Mentions Shincheonji and Anti-North Korea Leaflet Law in South Korea Religious Freedom Report

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] It has been revealed that the U.S. government intervened in the COVID-19 cluster outbreak at the Shincheonji Church and the South Korean government's response.

On the 12th (local time), the U.S. Department of State released the "2020 International Religious Freedom Report" for South Korea, stating that the U.S. Embassy in Korea discussed religious issues, including the religious freedom of Shincheonji Church members, with South Korean officials.

Unlike previous years, this religious freedom report largely included content regarding restrictions on church religious activities due to the COVID-19 situation. The law banning leaflets to North Korea was also mentioned from the perspective of religious freedom.

The report referred to conflicts between the government and Protestant churches over COVID-19 prevention measures, recalling President Moon Jae-in's statement that if the COVID-19 situation threatens public safety and health, freedom of religion and assembly cannot be protected.

The report also stated that the North Korea missionary group "??Sun-gyoja-ui Moksori" (Voice of the Martyrs) attempted to distribute leaflets containing rice and Bibles to North Korea but was stopped by the police.

The report cited Voice of America (VOA), mentioning that Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, condemned the leaflet distribution and threatened to withdraw cooperation with the South if the South Korean government did not prevent the leaflet distribution.