Protestant groups up in arms over new passport rule

By Lee Hyo-sik

Protestant groups are decrying the government move to make it difficult for those who break the law overseas to get a passport, claiming the new rule would restrict their missionary activities in foreign countries.

A revised “Passport Act,” announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on July 4, is scheduled to go into effect as soon as the Cabinet approves it.

Under the revision, individuals found to have been engaged in illegal activities abroad more than once will not be issued a passport for over a year, among other aspects.

But the measure has sparked strong opposition from Protestant churches that send hundreds of missionaries overseas every year. They are concerned that the revision may negatively affect their work as missionaries deported from host countries for violating various local laws could face difficulties in renewing their passports.

The Christian Council of Korea, which represents the largest number of Protestant churches here, filed a petition with the foreign ministry Tuesday, demanding that the controversial second clause of Article 23 be removed from the revised act. The council has also asked its member churches to join a nationwide campaign against the revision.

“We filed a complaint with the foreign ministry over the revision, expressing our concerns that it can significantly impede our overseas missionary work. It is not fair to treat church workers, deported for conducting religious activities in mostly communist and Islamic countries the same as criminals,” said Choi Sung-ju, a spokesman for the Christian Council of Korea.

Choi insisted the ministry should change the amendment in such a way that missionaries face no difficulty in obtaining a passport.

“We not only promote Christianity overseas, but also engage in a wide range of volunteer work to improve the livelihood of the locals. If missionaries are not allowed to go overseas, it will significantly dampen goodwill activities abroad and fail to boost Korea’s image,” the spokesman said.

Other Protestant organizations have issued a statement, claiming the government measure to restrict passport issuance infringes upon the people’s fundamental human rights.

“The government has said the move is solely intended to prevent those with criminal records abroad from leaving the country. But we think it also aims to hamper our missionary and goodwill work in foreign countries,” the Korean Association of Church Communication said.

The Prayer Union for President demanded the revision be retracted immediately, arguing that the state should not restrain religious activities either at home and abroad.

Facing the mounting pressure from Protestant groups, the ministry said Wednesday that it will revise the controversial clause by reflecting the opinions of religious circles.

“We are currently trying to find a way to reflect religious groups’ views in the revised passport act. I think it will take some time for us to finalize it,” said a ministry spokesman who declined to be named.