According to a 2024 survey, around 31% to 32% of South Koreans identify as Christian, making Christianity the largest religious group in the country. Protestants make up roughly 20% and Catholics about 11%. This rich Christian heritage has long played a role in Korea’s democratic and economic growth.
Yet today, the Church faces growing challenges. At the center of this struggle is Reverend Hyun-bo Son, a senior pastor who has faithfully ministered to the same congregation for more than 30 years.
A Pastor Missing
On September 8th, before entering a police station for a pre-trial hearing, Pastor Son declared: “If I am imprisoned, it will prove that Korea is no longer free.” He has not been seen since.
Authorities charged him with violating election laws—specifically, for interviewing a candidate in what officials interpreted as illegal campaigning. He was detained on grounds of “flight risk and potential evidence destruction,” though his family and congregation say such claims make no sense.
Pastor Son’s son, Chance Son, said: “To a senior pastor who has served the same church for over 30 years, the court’s claim of flight risk makes no sense. I believe this is clearly political retaliation and religious oppression targeting Korean churches.”
Why Pastor Son Drew Scrutiny
Pastor Son has been in the government’s sights for some time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his church defied strict gathering limits and was fined. More recently, he organized a rally mobilizing more than two million people onsite and online to oppose the proposed Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Law.
Critics of the law argue that it would criminalize preaching against homosexuality and restrict Christian teaching on moral issues. Political analyst Dr. Daniel Cho called Son’s arrest “a targeted move to send a message to all Christians in Korea to be quiet and comply with the government’s aggression against conservatives.”
Voices of Concern
Pastor Son’s legal counsel, Attorney Dong Sub Sim, believes the Korean church must also accept responsibility: “I believe this is a form of divine discipline. Our spiritual ancestors endured great trials for the faith, but we have taken that legacy for granted. Let’s pray that the Church regains its faith and influence.”
Church historian Professor Myung Soo Park added that South Korea’s economic success has historically paralleled the vitality of its church. But he warns that religious freedom is eroding:
- Christian schools are being told to suppress prayer and worship.
- Books promoting homosexuality are used in classrooms even though the anti-discrimination law has not passed.
- Christian speech in public spaces is increasingly restricted.
Park urged unity between American and Korean evangelicals to call for Son’s release and to defend religious liberty.
A Crossroads for Freedom
The charges against Pastor Son are considered minor and could be dropped. Yet legal delays could keep him detained for six months to a year—or longer. Meanwhile, rallies continue across South Korea, demanding both his release and the protection of democracy and religious freedom.
South Korea stands at a crossroads: will it continue to uphold Christian values of liberty, freedom, and property rights, or will it give way to progressive secular ideologies that suppress them?
A Christian Response
As Christians, we cannot be silent. Scripture reminds us to pray for our family in Christ wherever they are persecuted: “Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself” (Hebrews 13:3).
We must also recall the voluntary nature of our faith. Christianity does not coerce. Christ invites all to follow Him freely. That is both our strength and the reason tyrants throughout history have sought to silence us. Just as Jesus was condemned not for violence but for speaking truth, today many Christians face the same fate.
Pastor Son’s disappearance should shake us to our core. He deserves a fair trial, due process, and freedom. If South Korea chooses censorship and retaliation over liberty, it risks joining the long list of nations that suppress truth for political expediency.
Conclusion
We call on believers everywhere to pray for Reverend Hyun-bo Son. Pray for his family, his church, and the Korean nation. Let his courage remind us that our faith is not bound by governments or laws, but rooted in the eternal Kingdom of Christ.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today. Only in Him do we find true freedom—freedom from sin, freedom from fear, and the hope of eternal life.