International concern has continued to mount. In August 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had heard reports that the South Korean government was conducting “very vicious raids” on churches and entering U.S. military bases to gather information, adding that it appeared “a purge or a revolution may be taking place.”
After learning of large-scale raids on churches in South Korea, Trump further criticized the situation, calling it “a very bad thing.” Observers note that it is highly unusual for the leader of an allied nation to publicly express concern over another country’s internal law-enforcement practices.
The International Democracy Union (IDU) stated in December that continued monitoring of South Korea’s adherence to democratic principles and the protection of fundamental rights is warranted. The adoption of a formal resolution addressing democracy and the rule of law in South Korea is considered a rare occurrence.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) explicitly guarantees freedom of religion and stipulates that any state intervention must meet standards of legality, proportionality, and minimum impairment.
This case raises a broader question for liberal democracies worldwide: How far may state power intervene in matters of religion and fundamental civil rights? As South Korea’s democracy faces renewed scrutiny, international attention continues to grow.
