Remembrance about a victim, one youth of shincheonji church , who are sacrificed by the persecution of religious oppression

The issue of forced conversion and its severe consequences continue to draw attention.

The 6th anniversary of the death of the late Ji-in Gu has recently this matter back into focus.

she tragically lost her life at the young age of 27, falling into a brain-dead state due to assault by her family. This case starkly illustrates the grave outcomes of forced conversion, which has been carried out by forced conversion pastors greedily chasing after money in Korea.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, Peter Tribe Gwangju Church, commemorated her by setting up a memorial booth, reflecting on her hope for the realization of 'freedom of religion' as stated in the Constitution of  South Korea and her advocacy against forced conversion pastors and for the enactment of a law prohibiting religious discrimination.

According to the Human Rights Association for Victims of Coercive Conversion Programs, there were 77 cases of force conversion against Shincheonji Church members last year alone, with a total of 2019 cases from 2003 to 2023. This averages to about 96 cases annually, predominantly targeting women and the youth. These instances often involve illegal acts such as kidnapping, confinement, and assault.

Mr. Lee Jung-woo, leader of the Peter Tribe of Shincheonji, criticized the tendency to dismiss forced conversion as merely a religious issue, despite it being a clear violation of the law in South Korea. He emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the reality of coercive conversion as 'religious counseling' and the need to eradicate such practices.

Representative Lim Eun-kyung of the Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Human Rights Association for Victims of Coercive Conversion Programs stresses that forced conversion is not just a religious issue, but a serious violation of constitutional rights and human rights, leading to family breakdown and other societal problems. She reiterated the importance of respecting religious freedom and human rights in our society.

These cases reveal how religious freedom is being threatened in our society. Forced conversion is an act that severely violates individual beliefs and freedom, necessitating urgent societal awareness and legal responses. These incidents remind us of the importance of respecting religious freedom and human rights in our society