South Korea’s move to enact a special law to support hosting World Youth Day in Seoul has become contentious with public criticisms, which a Church official said stems from misunderstandings. Source: UCA News.
The government proposed a special law to help it allocate public funds for organising safety measures, infrastructure, and public services, but critics viewed it as a proposal to allocate money to help a Church program, Church officials said.
The Special Act on Supporting World Youth Day Seoul 2027 has been pending in South Korea’s National Assembly since November last year. It aims to provide a legal framework for supporting the global youth event, officials said.
The event – scheduled for August 2027 – is expected to draw about one million young people, 400,000 of them from abroad. Pope Leo XIV is also to attend the program as a state guest.
The event “is not just a religious celebration but also a national and international event open to all youth, transcending religious boundaries,” Fr Joseph Young-je Lee, one of the organizers, said last week.
Fr Lee issued a written clarification in response to concerns raised about the law at a September 3 public meeting.
The Interreligious Reform Civil Coalition hosted the meeting for civil society groups and representatives of various religions, seeking public accountability, financial transparency, and harmony among diverse faiths as Korea prepares to host the international Catholic event for the first time.
Speakers at the meeting said that the special law will enable the federal and local governments to mobilise budgets and administrative resources, and it could even compel public institutions and private companies to support the event, raising concerns about forced financial donations.
The proposed law is “violating the principle of religious neutrality enshrined in the constitution,” and the move could “institutionalise preferential treatment for a particular religion,” according to Park Kwang-jae, secretary general of the interreligious coalition.
However, Fr Lee said public funds will be allocated “solely for public purposes – such as safety measures, infrastructure, and public services – benefiting all citizens and visitors alike” and not to aid any Catholic activity, or compel private enterprises or individuals to provide financial contributions.
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Proposed Korean law supporting World Youth Day, draws fire (UCA News)
