Police in eastern Nepal have arrested 24 South Korean Christians during a gathering at a Christian-run theological college, following a complaint alleging illegal religious teaching and missionary activities.
The arrests took place on 9 October at Nepal New Covenant College (NNCC), an ecumenical theological institute in Morang district, near the Indian border. Police said the South Korean nationals were suspected of conducting religious teaching, training and promotional activities in breach of Nepal’s laws and tourist visa rules.
Morang district police chief Kabit Katwal told reporters that the group had been detained at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu for further investigation and possible legal action.
Christian leaders and rights advocates criticised the arrests, describing them as an unjustified restriction on religious freedom.
NNCC principal and theologian Sarad KC said the South Korean visitors had come to take part in an event involving local church members and students when police raided the gathering. According to KC, officers said they were acting on orders from senior authorities and that tourists were not permitted to engage in preaching, missionary work or related activities.
KC maintained that the visitors had been meeting believers inside a Bible college rather than preaching publicly or attempting to convert people.
He said the arrests had raised concerns about possible hostility towards Christians by the state.
Established in 2013 as a social trust under the Ratna Baptist Foundation, NNCC offers theological courses ranging from certificates and bachelor’s degrees to master’s and doctoral studies.
Dipesh Shrestha, deputy general secretary of the National Christian Federation Nepal, said the arrests had raised concerns about the government’s commitment to protecting the religious freedom of minorities. The federation represents Christians across the country and is considering raising the matter at national and international levels, including United Nations meetings.
Shrestha said the authorities’ actions risked creating the impression that both foreign and Nepali Christians were being treated as criminals for meeting or discussing their faith with fellow believers and others interested in Christianity.
Christian academic, theologian and author B.P. Khanal also criticised the arrests. He argued that foreign visitors discussing their faith or religious experiences with believers should not automatically face arrest or possible deportation.
Khanal, who runs Nepal Korea International College, expressed concern that the authorities were targeting institutions involved in missionary training. He warned that the mass arrest could damage Nepal’s international reputation and potentially affect tourism.
The case has renewed debate over the boundaries between religious activities permitted under tourist visas and Nepal’s protections for religious freedom. Police have said the investigation is continuing, while Christian leaders are calling for the rights of religious minorities to be respected.
Based on reporting by UCA News.
