Memorial Ceremony for the victim of Coercive Conversion Education, Gu Ji In

Memorial Ceremony for the victim of Coercive Conversion Program, Gu Ji In

There will be memorial service of the late Gu Ji In who was the victim of coercive conversion program. This memorial service will be on live tomorrow. It's been already one years since she passed away. It was the sad news that stirred up the whole world including Korea. After the late Gu Ji In was sacrificed, I personally thought that coercive conversion program would be eradicated in Korea. Also, I thought forcible pastors would subject to legal punishment. However, I have no idea whether the law is generous or they used some trick since coercive conversion programs is still ongoing in Korea.

In only this year, the number of cases which was reported only  reached more than 150. When we look at that, it is very serious matter. It seems that crime is more likely to become more prevalent because forcible pastors is not punished under the law. Endcoerciveconversion.org urged enacting a law in front of Blue House in order to prohibit coercive conversion program facing ahead of first memorial service of the late Gu Ji In.

The late Gu Ji In was detained at cottage located in Hwa Sun, Jeon Nam and suffocated to death on Jan. 9 last year during coercive conversion program being held.  The prosecution office is still investigating and there is no result yet. I don't understand there is no punishment when we have people dead. The late Gu Ji In was the member of Shincheonji church when she was alive. Forcible pastors who runs cult counseling center tried forcing Gu Ji In by using her parents to convert the religion. In July 2016, she was detained for 44 days in the Catholic monastery in Jeon Nam and received coercive conversion program. 

After escaping from the first imprisonment, she posted her story on online Bulletin board of Blue House. She appealed for legal protection and legal freedom of religion. She also appealed for the closure of cult counseling center and the punishment of forcible pastors by legislating the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act. However, Her appeal was neglected. As a result, she had no choice but to die.

After her death caused by coercive conversion program, the member of Endcoerciveconversion.org appealed to the Blue House, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the judicial authorities for countermeasure. However, those organizations which are aware of the powerful influence of existing denominations gave an answer saying they can not engage in religious matters. Aren't they being ridiculous saying the reason why they can not get involved in religious matters is based on 'freedom of religion'? 

Does the offense of existing denomination mean that religious freedom must be guaranteed? On the other hand, people who belongs to the  denominations of minority religion can not be guaranteed freedom of religion. Are we living under fair legal system? I don't think so. The government is still lowering their position. After the incident of Gu Ji In, the victims are continuing. The number of victims by coercive conversion program this year is about 150 cases. Endcoerciveconversion.org said "Still, some pastors are not hesitant to instigate coercive conversion program for the purpose of making money. This is because forcible pastors are not punished by law so that they think they can do whatever with other people's human rights." 

There has been active signing movement in Korea and abroad to legislate law for forbidding coercive conversion program. As a result, more than on million people signed the agreement. I hope the government of the Republic of Korea accepts this seriousness and the law of forbidding coercive conversion program is legislated. So that, criminal act violating human rights called 'coercive conversion program' disappear in this land.

People abroad are paying attention to this issue. Few months before, people who heard of this sad incident gathered money and posted advertisement in New York Times.

Also, same content was posted in Washington Times.

I wish forcible pastors punished under the law so that we can be safe.

Here is Youtube LIve

[Reference]

1. https://established.co.za/16-days-of-activism-and-the-call-to-ban-coercive-conversion-remembered/

2. https://www.theenquirer.co.uk/coercive-conversion-programmes/