Online worship service is under way at a large church in central Seoul in this file photo taken on July 18, 2021. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 22 (Korea Bizwire) — The state rights watchdog has ruled that mandatory church services at educational institutions constitute a violation of the freedom of religion.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea said Thursday it has advised a local university to add an alternative course or project to replace mandatory church service.
A student from the university submitted a petition to the commission, alleging that the school is infringing upon freedom of religion by requiring participation in church services in order to graduate.
The school responded that the church service does not force religion on the students and that students are notified in advance that church services are mandatory at the school.
The commission, however, decided that the church services are deemed religious since their written introduction and objectives call upon ‘fostering the spirit of Christianity’ and inviting pastors as primary instructors.
The commission also deemed that enrollment at a school where church services are mandatory does not indicate that the students are willing to follow any kind of religious education.
“Requiring students to follow religious education should be based on safety measures that protect students from violations of freedom of religion, like allowing students to refuse to take a religious course or offering alternative courses,” the watchdog said.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
