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 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 J. Weisner on UnsplashPersecuted church
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.
The General Theological Seminary in South Korea has asked students to cancel a scheduled academic seminar honoring theologian Sun-hwan Byun. The administration cited regulations regarding unregistered groups and fears of physical conflict following a violent disruption in September. The request also referenced a warning from the Methodist Church’s Heresy Countermeasure Committee. Despite the school’s concerns for student safety and potential disciplinary action, organizers plan to proceed with the event on October 27 in an outdoor area. Critics argue the university is yielding to church pressure rather than supporting academic freedom.
Park Sun-kyu, an elder at Dorim Church in South Korea, was excommunicated by the Yeongdepo Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Tonghap) in June after raising concerns about financial transparency. He questioned the increase in construction costs for a new worship hall from 20 billion to over 45 billion won and mandatory offering fees for appointed leaders. The church denies these claims, stating the higher figure includes additional expenses and that the excommunication resulted from defamation, not financial inquiries. Park has applied for an injunction against the trial and plans to publish a book on the matter, calling it a symbol of structural issues in the Korean church.
Following record-breaking floods in August that declared Geoje, South Korea, a special disaster zone, religious facilities were excluded from 230.8 billion won in government recovery funds. Officials cited reasons such as lack of tax payments and non-residential status, though no laws support these exclusions. Newsnjoy reported on September 9, documenting severe damage at churches including Saecentral Church, Lord's Embrace Church, and Geoje Church of the Anglican Church of Korea. The outlet highlighted the financial gap facing these institutions despite the official disaster designation.
Religious facilities in Geoje, South Korea, were excluded from government disaster relief funds following severe flooding in August. Officials cited reasons including non-profit status and lack of residential use, despite the area being declared a special disaster zone. Churches and temples faced significant damage, with repair costs estimated at hundreds of millions of won. The exclusion stems from regulations listing specific eligible structures, which do not include religious sites. While the law allows for exceptions, no such cases have been confirmed. Local leaders argue that religious institutions are part of the community and deserve support, but current administrative interpretations prevent them from receiving aid.
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