RUSSIA: Prosecution Claims Forced Religious Activities Against Korean Missionary

Source: Voice of the Martyrs Korea, Voice of the Martyrs AU

Photo Source: VOM Korea

Prosecution in the case of Korean Missionary Park Taeyeon will claim that she “forced” children who stayed with her to pray. Missionary Park’s lawyer is expected to dispute any testimony of wrongdoing by the missionary.

Park Taeyeon is a Korean missionary who was arrested in Khabarovsk, Russia, on 15 January, one week before she was scheduled to return home to Korea to retire at age 70. Authorities fined the missionary for overstaying her visa, despite the overstay being due to her detainment by Russian authorities. Since her arrest, the prosecutor has been building a case against Park, with sources reporting that a psychiatrist may be called to testify about the impact of the alleged “forced” religious behaviour on the children.

“This is not an uncommon strategy by Russian authorities,” says Dr Hyun Sook Foley of Voice of the Martyrs Korea. “In prior incidents involving Protestants, they have claimed that various Protestant practices – singing, praying, taking an offering, preaching – are designed to put participants in a vulnerable psychological state in order to brainwash them. They claim that participants are unwittingly subject to unhealthy psychological pressure or coercion to accept values and actions that are contrary to traditional Russian society.”

Even though the claims of the children are not directly tied to the immigration-related charges Missionary Park is facing, the claims could affect the court’s assessment of the seriousness of the charges. “The prosecutor may claim that because minors were involved, the court cannot dismiss the charges against Missionary Park,” says Representative Foley. “Also, the prosecutor may use the testimony to claim that the reason Missionary Park engaged in these alleged immigration violations was to recruit people to her religious doctrines.”

Sources note that public statements in the media by Khabarovsk officials raise concerns that the charges against her are religiously motivated, even though the charges themselves are not religious.

According to sources, Missionary Park’s case is now with the Khabarovsk prosecutor, and the missionary’s trial, which was originally expected to take place in May, will now likely take place in early July. Missionary Park faces a possible total of 17 years in prison on three immigration-related charges. The delayed trial date has raised concerns that investigators may be gathering information which could potentially be used in other, future legal actions by authorities against the Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals) of Russia, the denomination which has partnered with the Child Evangelism Fellowship organisation in Russia for some activities.

“These possible future legal issues don’t relate to Missionary Park’s case, but they do relate to the growing difficulties Protestant Christians in Russia are facing from authorities,” says Representative Foley.

Missionary Park continues to be held in a temporary detention centre for foreigners in Khabarovsk, with her detention formally extended until 16 July. Further extensions are expected to continue at least until her trial is completed.

• Pray for Ms Park as she continues in detention, asking the Lord to sustain her in faith and health. Pray also for justice in her case, asking the Lord to reveal the truth to the prosecutors.

• Pray for Russian authorities, asking the Lord to open their eyes to the false allegations made against Missionary Park. Pray they would seek justice and a swift resolution resulting in her freedom.

• Pray for the church in Russia, that the Lord will promote love and unity among them and take away any spirit of fear. Pray their witness will be powerful.