SEOUL: The Coalition for Democracy and Freedom of Religion (CDFR), a civil society alliance, held a joint press conference in front of the Blue House fountain in Seoul, criticising recent remarks and investigative directives issued by senior government officials that it says undermine freedom of religion.
During the press conference, the Coalition formally announced its launch and warned that state-level stigmatization of specific religions raises serious concerns about violations of the constitution and the principle of separation between religion and the state.
CDFR is composed of civic, religious and social organisations across South Korea, including representatives from Buddhism, Christianity and Islam, as well as legal experts, university professors and civil society leaders.
The event, titled Joint Press Conference for the Protection of Constitutionally Guaranteed Freedom of Religion, was attended by around 100 participants. A joint statement was read out by Ven. Beop San of the Jogye Order of Daegak Buddhism, a co-representative of the Coalition, followed by keynote addresses from speakers representing Buddhist, Christian and Islamic communities and civil society groups.
In its statement, the Coalition cited Article 20 of South Korea’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and mandates separation of religion and state, along with Articles 10 and 11 on human dignity and equality before the law. It said repeated official references to certain religions as “pseudo-religious,” “heretical,” or “harmful” risk violating principles of religious neutrality and non-discrimination.
The Coalition said its concerns followed a January 12 luncheon meeting between President Lee Jae-myung and religious leaders, after which the Blue House spokesperson quoted the president as agreeing with remarks describing groups such as the Unification Church and Shincheonji as causing serious social harm.
A day later, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, speaking at a cabinet meeting, described the same groups as “social evils that must be eradicated” and ordered a government-wide investigation, remarks the Coalition cited as deepening constitutional concerns.
CDFR said that regardless of any criminal investigations, broad negative labeling of religious groups by senior officials risks undermining the state’s duty of religious neutrality. It added that moving from opinions expressed at religious meetings to strong language at cabinet level could blur the constitutional separation between religion and state.
The Coalition also noted that some of the groups facing criticism have engaged in social welfare activities, including volunteer work and blood donation drives, yet have been subjected to sweeping characterisations without specific criminal findings being presented.
Referring to South Korea’s obligations under international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Coalition called on the United Nations and international human rights and religious freedom organisations to review the situation independently.
In its concluding demands, CDFR urged the government to stop actions that incite hatred against religious groups, issue a public apology for discriminatory remarks by senior leaders, and establish dialogue mechanisms that ensure equal respect for all beliefs.
“Freedom of religion is not the concern of a single group,” the Coalition said, “but a fundamental standard for a democratic society.”
