On Reformation Sunday, 27 October, about 1.1 million South Korean Christians gathered outside Seoul City Hall (another 1 million Christians joined online) to worship and advocate for Christian values.
The event, marking the 107th anniversary of the Reformation, served as both an outdoor worship service and a demonstration against proposed anti-discrimination legislation, which includes protections for same-sex relationships. The Christian community in South Korea has expressed strong support for traditional family values and voiced concerns over the potential impact of the legislation.
A rally against anti-discrimination legislation
The proposed law, intended to promote anti-discrimination principles, aims to address gender identity and recognise same-sex relationships. However, this legislation has become a contentious issue for South Korean Christians, who worry it may restrict their religious freedoms. Many argue that the policy mirrors similar laws in Western countries like Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, which they believe have led to a decline in religious freedoms. Korean Christians contend that these laws result in ‘reverse discrimination,’ citing examples of religious challenges faced by Western Christians in countries with similar policies.
