As a proposal was introduced that would allow the competent authority to cancel a religious corporation's establishment permit if it violates the principle of separation of church and state or the Public Official Election Act, Christian groups pushed back. They also issued a joint statement saying, "We strongly condemn the administration's attempt to forcibly dissolve religious groups."
An emergency seminar titled "Blocking the law to forcibly dissolve religious groups and protecting religious freedom (Can the state dissolve religious groups?)" was held on the afternoon of the 22nd at National Assembly Annex Building 1, Small Conference Room No. 1, in Yeouido, Seoul.
About 200 people attended, including People Power Party lawmaker Cho Bae-sook; the Seoul Chongsin Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong Jungang); the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong Jungang); the Council of Presbyterian Churches in Korea; the Revivalists' Association of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hanyoung General Assembly); the Alliance of Truth-Defending National Salvation Prayer People; and the East-West-North-South Mission Support Council and other major religious groups.
Participants held placards reading "If you are silent, your convictions will be dissolved" and chanted, "Guarantee religious freedom."
Participants read a joint statement. It included: ▲ immediately withdraw unconstitutional poison-pill provisions aimed at destroying freedom of religion ▲ state power must adhere to the principle of separation of religion and guarantee the church's internal autonomy ▲ denounce the arrogant legislative attempt to usurp judicial authority under an administrative convenience mindset ▲ defend freedom of religion to the very end.
Previously, a partial amendment to the Civil Act, introduced by independent lawmaker Choi Hyuk-jin as the lead sponsor, sparked controversy. The amendment would allow the competent authority to order the submission of related documents, books, or References if necessary for inspection and oversight, and to inspect affairs and property conditions. It could also require the appearance and statements of representatives and others.
A clause was also included allowing the competent authority to cancel an establishment permit if a corporation violates the conditions of its establishment permit, or when it engages in organized, systematic political activity related to a party or candidate that significantly harms the public interest.
Choi and others explained the rationale for the amendment as follows: "There have been cases of anti-social acts, such as colluding with specific political forces in violation of the constitutional principle of separation of church and state, but effective legal means to sanction them are lacking."
They added, "By specifying the grounds for canceling a corporation's establishment permit, codifying the competent authority's investigative powers, and strengthening the system of reverting the residual property of anti-social corporations to the national treasury, we aim to prevent abuse of corporate personality and safeguard the constitutional order."
Seminar participants expressed concern that, contrary to the stated intent, the amendment could be used by those in power to crack down on religious groups.
Kim Su-man, chairperson of the Emergency Committee for the Protection of Religious Freedom, said, "Allowing an administrative agency to dissolve religious groups based on the vague yardstick of anti-social crime abandons the principle of clarity," and added, "It is clear this will be abused as a political tool to suppress religious groups that do not suit the administration's tastes."
Kim went on, "It also violates the constitutional prohibition of guilt by association and the constitutional principle of personal responsibility," adding, "If this evil law passes, all clergy and believers who participated today will regard it as a declaration of war against Christianity."
Kim Young-suk, president of the Women's Council of the Council of Presbyterian Churches in Korea, said, "It will severely shrink the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea," adding, "Freedom of religion is not limited to freedom of worship; it signifies the survival of the community."
Kwon Pil-su, moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong Jungang), also said, "The law to forcibly dissolve religious groups (partial amendment to the Civil Act) is closing in on us," adding, "We pray that the freedom of the Korean church will be guaranteed."