South Korea
A South Korean religious sect leader has been sentenced to 23 years in prison over sex crimes
By Jiwon Song — December 22, 2023
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Jeong, 78, is leader of the Christian Gospel Mission in South Korea, which is also known as Jesus Morning Star, or JMS.
Pastor rescues North Korean defectors on foot in new documentary ‘Beyond Utopia’
By Kathryn Post — December 11, 2023
(RNS) — The film features rare footage of the rescue missions led by Pastor Seungeun Kim and his ministry, Caleb Mission.
Pope announces World Youth Day to return to Asia in 2027, urges young people ‘not to be afraid’
By Helena Alves, Barry Hatton, and Nicole Winfield — August 7, 2023
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — News that Seoul, South Korea would host World Youth Day in 2027 was a reflection of the continent's increasing importance to the Catholic Church, given the church is young and growing there, whereas it is withering in traditionally Christian lands in Europe.
Japan PM orders probe of Unification Church problems
By Mari Yamaguchi — October 17, 2022
TOKYO (AP) — Many critics consider the church to be a cult because of problems with followers and their families over their financial and mental hardships.
South Korea courts Muslims to fill tourism gap
By Miranda Mazariegos — November 2, 2018
SEOUL, South Korea (RNS) — After a sharp decline in Chinese visitors, South Korea is adding halal restaurants and providing prayer rooms in a government-led effort to attract more Muslim tourists.
Bishop: Possible pope trip to North Korea ‘a gigantic step’
By The Associated Press — October 11, 2018
(AP) — A South Korean bishop says a visit by Pope Francis to North Korea would mark a “gigantic step” for peace on the peninsula but that there are many issues about religious freedom that must be resolved.
For many South Korean Christians, reunification is a religious goal
By Diane Winston — June 11, 2018
Many Christian South Koreans see reunification of the Korean peninsula as a religious goal as much as a political one. And if reunification, as opposed to reconciliation, seems an uphill struggle, they believe that with faith anything is possible.
In leery South Korea, American missionary couple works for reunification of North and South
By Aziza Kasumov — May 9, 2018
TAEBAEK, South Korea (RNS) — In the Taebaek Mountains near Korea’s eastern coastline, American missionary Ben Torrey prepares South Korean students for their country’s reunification.
At the Olympics, thousands of missionaries compete for souls
By Madeline C. Mulkey — February 22, 2018
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (RNS) — Teams of Christians — Baptists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and more — aim to save souls at the Winter Games.
Praying for some snowboard diplomacy
By Richard Mouw — February 6, 2018
(RNS) — I hope Vice President Pence has some private conversations with the high-level North Korean government officials who are accompanying their athletes.
Pope Francis ends South Korea trip with overture to China
By Josephine McKenna — August 18, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis said Asian governments should not fear Christians who did not want to "come as conquerors" -- a message clearly targeted at countries including China, North Korea and Vietnam.
5 things to know about Pope Francis’ visit to South Korea
By Josephine McKenna — August 13, 2014
(RNS) Catholics are a minority in South Korea, representing just over 10 percent of the population. But their numbers have doubled since 1990, and the pope wants to encourage them.
Pope Francis heads East, pointing to a new future for his Western church
By David Gibson — August 8, 2014
(RNS) Upcoming trips to Asia highlight Pope Francis’ push to globalize and reform a Catholic Church that is still very much centered on what happens in Rome.
Report: 8 countries on UN Human Rights Council restrict religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — December 31, 2013
LONDON (RNS) A new report says eight current and incoming member states of the U.N. Human Rights Council were among 24 countries to imprison believers and atheists in 2013 for violating local laws that restrict freedom of religion or belief.
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