The Church Reform Coalition issued a statement on October 29 criticizing the reinstatement of Kim Myung-jin as senior pastor of Light and Truth Church. Kim was convicted by the Supreme Court for abuse and legal violations but resumed his role seven months after release. The coalition labeled this a violent act against victims and accused the Presbyterian Church in Korea and Pyeong Yang Presbytery of protecting their own. They demanded Kim step down, six supporting pastors apologize, and church members revoke the appointment. The group argued that framing criminal abuse as spiritual training constitutes gaslighting and ignores the lasting trauma suffered by victims.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Mathew Schwartz on UnsplashPersecuted church
An opinion piece in the Kukmin Ilbo argues that South Korea must protect religious facilities from displacement during urban redevelopment projects. The author states that churches and temples serve as vital community welfare centers but are often forced out due to a lack of specific legal provisions in the Urban and Residential Environment Improvement Act. Although a 2026 government interpretation allows for alternative sites, local practices and court rulings frequently ignore these guidelines. The article calls on the National Assembly, the presidential office, and the judiciary to establish clear laws and dispute resolution mechanisms to ensure fair relocation and prevent social conflict.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Markus Leo on UnsplashPersecuted church
A seminar honoring the late theologian Byun Sun-hwan was held outdoors at the Korean Methodist Theological University in Seoul on October 27 after the university denied indoor venue access. Organizers reported that approximately 100 attendees faced disruption from about 40 opponents who shouted slogans and sang hymns to block the event. The gathering featured speeches by pastors Hong Seung-pyo and Park Sung-yong, who examined the historical context of Byun’s 1992 excommunication. Pastor Jin Kwang-soo also spoke, praising Byun as a significant scholar. This marks the second conflict regarding events related to Byun at the institution this year.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Anne Nygård on UnsplashPersecuted church
A sociologist reports that nations in East Asia have formed an alliance against specific religious groups. Officials from one country, lawyers from another, and pastors from a third cooperate to target organizations like the Family Federation and Shincheonji. This collaboration aims to suppress religious freedom and influence political outcomes in the region. The author argues that despite ideological differences, these groups share common enemies. The alliance has led to legal actions and arrests in South Korea. The sociologist warns that this cooperation threatens religious liberty and regional stability in East Asia.
A South Korean court has ruled that the Church of God, designated as a cult by major denominations, must demolish a building under construction in the Gamil district of Hwaseong and return the land to the Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH). The Suwon District Court Gyeonggi Branch ordered the church to pay approximately 6.31 billion won to the LH. The ruling addresses a dispute over a religious plot where the church allegedly paid excessive premiums during a 2020 purchase, violating public housing regulations that restrict resale for profit. The court also mandated the cancellation of ownership transfer registrations associated with the site.
The late Tak Myung-hwan, founder of the International Institute for Religious Issues in South Korea, endured persistent threats and legal battles while exposing groups masquerading as orthodox denominations. According to his memoirs, he received death threats and had explosives planted in his vehicle after issuing statements against cults. He also faced defamation lawsuits and injunctions for articles identifying these groups as heretical. Despite pressure from organizations using legitimate church names to deceive believers, he continued his investigative work to protect the public from religious deception.
Kim Myung-jin, a pastor sentenced for facilitating abuse at Light and Truth Church in Seoul, was reinstated on October 27. He was released early in March after serving part of a two-year sentence for forcing members to endure harsh conditions. Former moderators and church leaders attended the service, defending the reinstatement as a church choice rather than a disciplinary failure. Victims expressed deep distress, noting a lack of genuine apology or accountability. The Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong) Pyongyang Presbytery maintained that no canonical violations occurred, describing the contested actions as training. This event highlights ongoing tensions between legal convictions and church governance in South Korea.
A pastor in China was formally arrested on fraud charges following a police raid on a 20th-anniversary preparation event. His wife, a foreign national currently abroad, has publicly appealed for global prayer support. While seven colleagues were detained and later released on bail, the pastor remains held in a local detention center. This incident highlights ongoing pressures on independent house churches in the region, reflecting years of restricted worship practices and state scrutiny against private religious gatherings.
A coalition involving officials from China, leftist lawyers in Japan, and anti-cult pastors in South Korea has targeted conservative religious groups across East Asia. This strategic partnership sees Beijing supporting Korean activists to suppress missionary activities and manage refugees. Key figures include a prominent pastor and an attorney. This alliance contributed to the dissolution of a major religious organization in Japan and the prosecution of its leaders in South Korea. The group claims to combat heresy through deprogramming and legal pressure, effectively coordinating across borders to restrict religious liberty.
According to a Christian organization in Korea, millions of Muslims have converted to Christianity globally in recent decades. The organization's representative notes that these converts often face severe backlash, including rejection by spouses and expulsion from their homes. The group highlights the story of a man who was disowned by his family after converting. To support these believers, the organization is promoting the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church in November. This annual campaign expects participation from churches in 130 countries, urging global Christians to pray for those suffering isolation and persecution for their new faith.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by John Onaeko on UnsplashGood news
Church Growth International (CGI) held its 50th anniversary World Church Growth Conference in Seoul, South Korea, on October 28. The event gathered over 3,000 pastors and leaders from 22 countries to reflect on the organization's history since its 1977 founding by Yoido Full Gospel Church. Speakers, including Pastor Lee Young-hoon and WAGF President Dominic Yeo, emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit and prayer in church expansion. The conference featured workshops on ministry strategies and concluded with events continuing through October 31 at venues in Seoul and Paju. The gathering highlighted CGI's global impact and future vision for church growth.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Elliot Gouy on UnsplashGood news
The 2027 World Youth Space Mission Conference departure ceremony will take place on November 3 at Jeju Seongan Church in South Korea. The event focuses on the role of AI and youth in modern missions. Notably, Jung Young-gyo, current moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), and Chae Young-nam, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Tonghap), will participate together. This collaboration highlights unity across denominations. Speakers will discuss how AI impacts Christian life and evangelism. Organizers expect the gathering to foster cooperation among Korean church leaders and youth for future global missions.
On October 29, the International Church Growth Institute (CGI) hosted a screening of the documentary 'Young Cho Yong-gi' at the Jerusalem Sanctuary in Seoul, South Korea. The event was part of the CGI's 50th-anniversary World Church Growth Conference, which gathered approximately 20,000 attendees from over 50 countries. The film details the life of the late founder Cho Yong-gi, tracing his journey from a tuberculosis diagnosis to establishing Yoido Full Gospel Church. Pastors from Ghana, Singapore, and Hong Kong praised the documentary for revealing the struggles and spiritual roots behind the church's global expansion, noting its value for understanding the origins of the Pentecostal movement.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Yamin Ohmar on UnsplashGood news
The Christian Methodist Church in South Korea held its second Social Service Award ceremony on October 29 at Kwanglim Church in Seoul. The event recognized organizations and individuals for serving marginalized communities. The Holy Volunteer Team received the Scranton Award for improving housing conditions. Other recipients included the Namyun Methodist Women’s Mission Union for neighborhood support, the Cheongju Love Meal Sharing Group for free food delivery, Incheon Gojan Church, and the Love Naver Hamgab Community. Individual honorees were Elder Han Yeon-hee and youth member Cho Je-i. The awards honor the legacy of missionaries like Asbury and Scranton.
International church leaders met in Seoul, South Korea, on October 29 for the International Church Growth Institute's 50th anniversary conference. Speakers including Hendrik Bosdier, Satish Kumar Pakanati, Disan Wickramaratne, and Young-hoon Lee emphasized passing faith to the next generation. They urged pastors to prioritize disciple-making, personal integrity, and caring for individual congregants over mere numerical growth. The group stated that true revival requires obedience to the Holy Spirit and active engagement in evangelism rather than relying solely on past traditions or facilities.
Richard Bogonon, founder of Make Known, visited Seoul, South Korea, to promote his 'The Word One to One' evangelism method. He argues that traditional church events fail to connect with younger generations who view Christianity negatively. Instead, he advocates for simple, one-on-one Bible reading as a daily cultural practice. Bogonon shared examples from South Africa where this approach shifted congregational focus toward sharing the Gospel. He emphasized that the Gospel itself has power, not human rhetoric. His mission aims to transform church culture by encouraging believers to build relationships with non-Christians through shared scripture study rather than formal programs.
South Korean churches launched a strategy to ensure military personnel maintain their faith after discharge. The 2026 Future Strategy Conference was held on October 28 at Yeongnak Church in Seoul. Surveys revealed that while many soldiers convert during service, 32% do not attend civilian churches afterward. Leaders emphasized the need for a connection system between military and local churches. Kim Kwang-sik, the new head of the Military Chaplain Corps, pledged to strengthen cooperation to help soldiers settle into congregations. The event included a transition ceremony for the chaplain corps leadership.
Faith Christian University & Theological Seminary in the US, led by President Samuel Yoon, hosted a seminar for 29 Malaysian pastors in South Korea from October 18 to 27. The event took place in Hwaseong and the Seoul metropolitan area, organized with the help of Getsemani World Mission Society. The program aims to train local clergy by offering degree pathways. Participants received computers and winter jackets to support their ministry and studies. Professors delivered lectures on theology and modern ministry, while attendees visited various Korean churches and sites. The university also announced upcoming admissions for the 2027 spring semester and an academic conference in November.
The Yongsan Jo Yong-ki Charity Foundation held a ceremony on October 27 at the Seogwipo City Hall to deliver an additional 40 million won for funeral expenses. This follows a previous 40 million won grant, bringing the total support to 80 million won. The funds assist low-income residents and those near the poverty line in Seogwipo, Jeju Province, covering up to 1 million won per person. Foundation Chairman Yoon Hong-ryeol and Seogwipo Mayor Kim Hee-chan attended the event. The foundation plans to collaborate with Jungmun Funeral Home to provide services and reduce financial burdens on grieving families in the region.
Comedian Kim Jae-woo and his wife Jo Yu-ri were appointed as ambassadors for the Miral Welfare Foundation in Seoul, South Korea, on October 21. The couple has supported the organization since 2019 through various charity campaigns, including fundraising for disabled children's medical expenses and volunteering. During the ceremony, artist Kim Ji-woo, whom they met through previous projects, appeared to congratulate them. The foundation states that the couple will now work to promote disability rights and spread a culture of giving through future social contribution activities. This appointment marks a new phase in their long-standing partnership with the welfare group.
A church in South Korea donated funds to a humanitarian organization to aid victims of floods in Nepal. The donation, raised by church members, was designated for emergency relief efforts. According to the organizations, the money will support affected children and residents with food, hygiene supplies, and essential goods. The aid aims to provide comfort and help restore daily life and education in the disaster-stricken areas. This collaboration highlights ongoing efforts to support international humanitarian needs through local church initiatives, demonstrating how faith communities can partner with NGOs to address global crises.
The Christian Angel Movement and Suryeo Hanbang Hospital signed a memorandum of understanding on October 14 in Osan, South Korea. The agreement aims to provide medical support for retired pastors, their families, missionaries, and those facing economic hardship. The Christian Angel Movement will identify and recommend individuals in need, while the hospital will offer clinical care and treatment based on medical necessity. Both organizations plan to expand cooperation into health counseling and community service. Leaders stated the partnership seeks to spread a culture of sharing and improve welfare for vulnerable groups in the church and society.
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