Shincheonji Church members protest cancellation of major event, expressing outrage

A vibrant crowd of over 25,000 members and supporters of the Shincheonji, New Heaven New Earth Church of Jesus gathered outside the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office on November 15, passionately protesting the unexpected cancellation of a significant religious event.

 Their peaceful demonstration aimed to highlight what the church deems “biased administration and religious suppression.”

The rally was sparked by the abrupt cancellation of the church’s “Religious Leaders’ Forum and Graduation Ceremony,” scheduled for October 29 at Paju Imjingak Peace Nuri Park—canceled just a day before it was set to begin.

While the Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation cited security concerns linked to recent North Korean military activities as the rationale, the church expressed their discontent, arguing that they had received venue approval months in advance without any issues.

In anticipation of the gathering, law enforcement was on standby, deploying six riot squads and over 400 officers to maintain order.

Fortunately, the event remained peaceful with no reported clashes.

In response to the last-minute cancellation, the New Heaven New Earth Church submitted an official letter of protest to Gyeonggi Province, demanding an apology and compensation for the damages incurred.

The unexpected cancellation disrupted months of meticulous preparation and affected 30,000 international attendees who had planned to join the event.

Despite these hurdles, the church went ahead with its record-breaking graduation ceremony, honoring over 100,000 students who completed a comprehensive Bible education program, including 3,377 pastors.

The event was streamed globally, allowing participants from 153 countries to celebrate together.

“This last-minute change could have dampened the occasion, but witnessing our graduates unite in hope amid challenges speaks volumes,” shared a church representative from Cape Town, South Africa.

“This graduation is a testament to how faith can connect communities and inspire positive change.”

The protest underscores the unwavering commitment and resilience of Shincheonji Church members, standing firm against what they view as unjust treatment and advocating for their right to practice their faith freely.