On Monday, Riley Barnes, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), met with Jang Wook-jin, South Korea’s Global Multilateral Diplomacy Coordinator, in Seoul. Their discussion focused on democracy and human rights issues between the two nations.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry reported that both parties shared their efforts to promote democracy and human rights, including discussions on the international religious landscape. They agreed to maintain necessary communication on these matters moving forward.
The Foreign Ministry disclosed that Deputy Assistant Secretary Barnes’ recent visit to South Korea was aimed at meeting various domestic stakeholders. This visit coincides with the drafting of the U.S. State Department’s annual reports on human rights, trafficking in persons, and international religious freedom.
On the previous day, Barnes met with Pastor Son Hyun-bo of the World Church in Busan. The meeting was also attended by Julie Turner, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for DRL, and Belsis Romero, a liaison from the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Their discussions reportedly covered several contentious issues, including proposed legislation to dissolve religious corporations, a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, allegations of inciting rebellion against Pastor Son, and concerns about targeting Christian alternative education.
A spokesperson for the World Church stated that this visit was arranged following communication from the U.S. State Department approximately four weeks prior.
Pastor Son is a well-known figure in South Korea’s far-right movement, having previously led demonstrations against the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. In September of last year, he was indicted for illegal electioneering after supporting specific candidates during prayer meetings in recent elections. Earlier this year, he received a six-month suspended prison sentence with one year of probation.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Barnes is also recognized as a prominent evangelical Protestant figure in the U.S. This has led to speculation that their meeting may have included discussions on religious freedom concerns and domestic political situations in both countries.
It’s worth noting that Pastor Son had previously met with Michael Needham, a State Department advisor, and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Turner in February.