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NEWS &
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FEATURES |
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SOUTH
KOREA TO RESTRICT MISSIONARY WORK IN MID-
EAST |
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Seoul: South
Korea is considering restricting the operations of its
Christian missionaries in the Middle East after dozens
were expelled for their activities, officials said on
August 27, 2009.
Missionaries could run the risk of terror attacks a nd
ordinary Korean tourists or businessmen might also be
targeted, they said. “Dozens of our citizens were
expelled from Iran, Jordan, Yemen and other Islamic
countries in the Middle East last month,” a foreign
ministry official told AFP, asking not to be identified.
He gave no exact figure. Chosun Ilbo newspaper, quoting
a government source, said more than 80 were expelled in
the past two months.
The government is considering taking various and prudent
steps for the safety of citizens overseas. Among the
measures being considered are restrictions on the usage
of passports and on departures from South Korea for
those who have been expelled for evangelization
attempts. Members of missionary groups could be
prohibited from entering Middle Eastern countries even
if they have no records of expulsion.. The Korea Herald,
without giving a source, said Jordan had recently warned
Seoul of possible terror attacks against South Korean
missionaries.
In 2007 Afghanistan’s Taliban kidnapped 23 South Korean
Christian aid workers, two of whom were later killed.
The remainder were set free after an undisclosed deal
between the Seoul government and their captors.
In March four South Korean visitors to Yemen were killed
in a suicide bombing at a historic tourist site. A
statement purportedly from Al-Qaeda claimed
responsibility. In June a female volunteer was murdered
after being kidnapped in Yemen.
It was unclear if the Yemen victims had links to
missionary groups. South Korea was also targeted after
sending non-combat troops to Iraq.
In 2004 a militant group believed linked to Al-Qaeda
beheaded a South Korean hostage after unsuccessfully
demanding the Seoul government pull out troops.
Under South Korean law the government can restrict
citizens’ overseas travel if they are subject to a
criminal investigation or it is feared they could damage
national interests or public safety. It can refuse to
issue or renew passports for up to three years for those
who have tarnished the nation’s reputation abroad.
Christian and civic groups have maintained that any
restrictions would violate constitutional rights to free
travel and religious freedom.
South Korea has some 13.7 million Christians (8.6
million Protestants and 5.1 million Catholics) and about
10 million Buddhists, according to the National
Statistical Office. Some Protestant groups are noted for
their evangelistic work.
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This page
is updated on Sep 18, 2009 |
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