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The Unseen Scandals: 5 Shocking Controversies Plaguing The Busan Presbyterian Church Network

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The search term "Beoseu Kaunti Jangro Gyohoe" (Bus County Presbyterian Church) often leads searchers to a complex and controversial network of Christian activities centered in Busan, South Korea. As of December 25, 2025, the local Presbyterian community in this major metropolitan area remains under intense global scrutiny, not for its missionary work, but for a series of high-profile legal and ethical scandals that have drawn international condemnation from human rights groups and religious freedom advocates. This deep dive uncovers the most critical controversies, focusing on the dark shadow of coercive religious change and the high-stakes political drama surrounding prominent local leaders.

The specific name "Beoseu Kaunti" may be a mistransliteration or a reference to a smaller, specific congregation. However, the core intention behind the search is undoubtedly related to the turbulent events that have defined the Busan Presbyterian landscape, particularly those involving forced conversion tactics and the legal troubles of key figures like Pastor Son Hyun-bo of Segero Presbyterian Church. Understanding these incidents requires a look at the intersection of religion, law, and human rights in modern South Korea.

The Shadow of Coercive De-conversion: Gange Jeonhyang

One of the most internationally condemned practices associated with the conservative Presbyterian network in South Korea is known as Gange Jeonhyang (강제 전향), or Coercive Change of Religion. While not exclusive to Busan, the city has been a focal point for reports detailing these controversial de-conversion programs.

1. The Practice of Forced De-conversion

Coercive de-conversion programs are typically run by certain pastors and counselors affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of South Korea (PCK) and other conservative denominations. The goal is to forcibly convert members of minority religious groups, often referred to pejoratively as "cults" or "heretics," back to mainstream Christianity.

  • The Method: Victims, often young adults, are reportedly abducted, confined in remote locations (sometimes for weeks or months), and subjected to intense, prolonged psychological pressure and indoctrination sessions.
  • International Condemnation: Human rights organizations worldwide have repeatedly called on the South Korean government to intervene, labeling the practice a severe violation of religious freedom and human rights.

2. The Role of Busan-Affiliated Figures

The controversy is directly linked to the Presbyterian community in Busan through key individuals. Reports mention figures like Hana Cho and Jin-wook Choo, described as evangelists and members of the Presbyterian Church in Busan, who were allegedly involved in slandering and targeting members of minority groups as part of these controversial de-conversion efforts.

The continued operation and defense of these programs by elements within the major Presbyterian denominations remain the single greatest ethical challenge facing the South Korean Christian community today.

The Segero Church Scandal: Election Laws and Public Health Defiance

A separate, but equally high-profile, controversy that has dominated the Busan religious news cycle involves the Segero Presbyterian Church (세계로교회) and its leader, Pastor Son Hyun-bo (손현보 목사). This case highlights the dangerous intersection of religious influence and political activism.

3. Violations of the Public Official Election Act

Pastor Son Hyun-bo was indicted and brought to trial on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. The indictment alleged that the pastor had held a political discussion during a worship service at the Segero Presbyterian Church in Busan’s Gangseo district, a clear breach of South Korean election laws designed to separate religious activities from political campaigning.

  • Legal Fallout: The case gained national attention, with prosecutors requesting a prison sentence for Pastor Son. The defense, however, denied all charges, arguing the statements were part of a religious message, not illegal electioneering.
  • Public Display of Support: The controversy sparked a massive show of support from the church's congregation, with some members engaging in the ancient gesture of shaving their heads to protest what they claimed was a threat to religious freedom and human rights in South Korea.

4. Defiance of COVID-19 Restrictions

The Segero Presbyterian Church was also one of two Protestant churches in Busan that were ordered to shut down by local ward offices for defying administrative orders related to in-person worship during the COVID-19 pandemic. This defiance was part of a broader national debate over church autonomy versus public health mandates.

The church's actions—insisting on large, in-person services despite public health warnings and government restrictions—positioned it at the center of a major public interest debate, further cementing its controversial status within the city's religious landscape.

The Broader Impact on Korean Presbyterianism

The controversies emanating from Busan are not isolated incidents; they reflect deeper fissures within the broader Presbyterian Church in South Korea (PCK), which is one of the largest and most influential Christian denominations in the country. The sheer volume of Presbyterian splinter groups and denominations (such as PCK, PROK, HapDong, TongHap, and others) contributes to a complex and often competitive religious environment.

5. Erosion of Trust and Topical Authority

The highly publicized legal battles and human rights allegations have severely impacted the reputation of the Presbyterian denomination, particularly among the younger, secular population. The actions of a few controversial congregations and leaders risk overshadowing the legitimate charitable and spiritual work of thousands of other churches. The entities involved in these scandals—including the Presbyterian Church in Busan, Segero Presbyterian Church, Pastor Son Hyun-bo, and the practice of Gange Jeonhyang—have become keywords for religious controversy in the region.

The ongoing legal processes related to Election Law Violations and the continued pressure from international bodies regarding Coercive Conversion ensure that the Busan Presbyterian network will remain a topic of intense discussion and scrutiny throughout 2026 and beyond. The search for "Beoseu Kaunti Jangro Gyohoe" is essentially a search for the latest updates on these major ethical and legal battles.

Key Entities and Terms in the Busan Presbyterian Controversy

To fully grasp the scope of the issues, it is essential to understand the key entities and concepts involved:

  • Gange Jeonhyang (강제 전향): The Korean term for Coercive Change of Religion, the central human rights controversy.
  • Segero Presbyterian Church: The specific Busan church at the heart of the political and public health scandals.
  • Pastor Son Hyun-bo: The indicted leader of Segero Church, charged with Public Official Election Act violations.
  • Hana Cho & Jin-wook Choo: Figures linked to the de-conversion programs within the Busan Presbyterian community.
  • Presbyterian Church of South Korea (PCK): The major denomination that has faced pressure to address the de-conversion issue.
  • Busan: The Metropolitan City in South Korea serving as the geographical center of these controversies.
  • Religious Freedom: The core human right being challenged by the alleged coercive practices.
  • Public Official Election Act: The South Korean law violated by the alleged political activities within the church.
  • COVID-19 Restrictions: The public health mandates defied by Segero Church, leading to closure orders.
  • Presbytery: The governing body of a regional group of Presbyterian churches.
  • Human Rights Watch: One of many international bodies monitoring the situation.
  • De-conversion Counselors: The individuals who facilitate the Gange Jeonhyang programs.
  • Forced Confinement: The illegal detention method allegedly used in the de-conversion process.
  • Gangseo District: The specific ward in Busan where Segero Church is located.
  • South Korean Judiciary: The legal system currently handling the election law case against Pastor Son.

The controversies surrounding the Presbyterian Church network in Busan—whether through the specific search term "Beoseu Kaunti Jangro Gyohoe" or the broader reality of Gange Jeonhyang and the Segero Church legal battles—serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing tension between religious authority, public law, and individual human rights in South Korea.

The Unseen Scandals: 5 Shocking Controversies Plaguing the Busan Presbyterian Church Network
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