South Korea Imprisoned a Pastor for 143 Days for Preaching. Now They Want to Dissolve Churches.

South Korean Pastor Jailed for Preaching Now Warns the Government Is Coming for Every Church

Pastor Son Hyun bo, 62, who led World Road Church in Busan, South Korea for over 30 years, was arrested in September 2025 under the country's Public Official Election Act. His alleged crime: interviewing a political candidate during a worship service who opposed Korea's Comprehensive Anti Discrimination Law, legislation that would criminalize preaching against homosexuality and restrict religious free speech.

Son spent 143 days in pretrial detention under 24 hour CCTV surveillance before the 6th Criminal Division of the Busan District Court sentenced him to six months in prison with a one year suspended execution and ordered his release on January 30, 2026.

It marked the first time in 78 years that South Korea arrested a pastor for speaking out against the government. South Korean President Lee Jae myung has publicly stated that religious speech tied to politics "must be punished."

Since Pastor Son's release, the South Korean government has advanced amendments to the Civil Code that would grant authorities the power to dissolve religious organizations and confiscate church assets under vaguely defined "public interest" grounds. These proposed changes would shift legal power from courts to administrative agencies, allowing investigations, audits, property seizures, and tax inspections without judicial warrants.

Pastor Son, a father of three and grandfather of five whose book proceeds funded over 9,000 cataract surgeries, spoke with Christian Today Korea on February 2, 2026 following his release. His associate pastor has also been prosecuted, and the Segero Woonam Christian Academy connected to his church faces forced closure threats.

Advocates for Faith and Freedom has launched a petition urging international attention. Authors Chance Son and Nicole Velasco wrote in their Christian Post column:

Silence might feel safer in the short term. But silence is what allows lines to move and liberties to fade.

South Korea's Crackdown on Churches: Pastor Imprisoned 143 Days, Now Government Seeks Power to Dissolve Religious Organizations

The arrest galvanized church leaders across South Korea, sparking rallies against what they described as government suppression of free speech and religious liberty. International organizations including CBN News, Washington Times, and Standing for Freedom Center have covered the case extensively.

The pattern of persecution extends beyond Pastor Son. The South Korean government's proposed Civil Code amendments would give the state legal authority to close churches not for crimes, but for holding disfavored beliefs. Anyone who values religious liberty cannot afford to look away.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let this sink in: South Korea, one of the greatest Christian revival stories of the 20th century, just imprisoned a pastor for 143 days because he let a candidate speak at his church. A democratic ally. A nation where Christians make up nearly 30% of the population. And now their government wants the power to dissolve churches and seize their property without even going through a court.

This is not some distant authoritarian regime. This is a country that owes its very freedom to the sacrifices of Christian nations. If they can jail a pastor for preaching biblical values in South Korea, they can do it anywhere. The silence from Western governments is deafening and damning. Every Christian leader who says nothing is handing the enemy another inch of ground.

Take Action

• Sign the petition at Advocates for Faith and Freedom to stand for religious liberty in Korea.
• Contact the South Korean Embassy in Washington at (202) 939 5600 or visit their website to express your concern about religious freedom violations.
• Share Pastor Son's story on social media using #FreePastorSon and #ReligiousFreedomKorea to raise international awareness.
• Donate to The Shepherd's Shield to support persecuted Christians worldwide.
• Support Open Doors or Voice of the Martyrs who advocate for persecuted believers in restricted nations.

Pray for Pastor Son, his family, his congregation at World Road Church, and all South Korean Christians facing government pressure for their faith.