In a powerful display of faith and unity, hundreds of thousands of South Korean Christians gathered in Seoul on Sunday to participate in a massive prayer protest.

The event, which took place across several major locations including Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Station, and Yeouido, saw an estimated 1.1 million participants according to organizers, while police estimated around 230,000 attendees.

The protest was organized by a coalition of Christian groups, including the United Christian Churches of Korea and the Council of Presbyterian Churches in Korea. The primary focus of the gathering was to oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage and the passage of an anti-discrimination ordinance that has been under consideration for over a decade.

Participants held signs and banners expressing their opposition to the proposed laws, with messages such as “Oppose the Anti-Discrimination Law” and “Protect Our Children from Gender Pollution, Gender Confusion, and Gender Division Destruction”. The rally was conducted in the form of a church service, with several prominent Christian leaders speaking out against the legislation and calling for a return to traditional values.

Rev. Kim Yang-jae, chairman of the board at Christian medication group QTM, emphasized the importance of maintaining a union between a man and a woman for a healthy family. The event was also broadcast online, with organizers claiming that over 1 million additional people watched the proceedings from home.

The protest highlighted the deep divisions within South Korean society regarding LGBTQ+ rights and the role of religion in public life. While the Christian community remains a powerful force in the country, the rally also faced criticism from LGBTQ+ activists and other groups who argued that the protest was an attempt to infringe on the rights of minorities.

As the debate over these issues continues, the prayer protest serves as a reminder of the significant influence that religious groups can wield in shaping public policy and societal norms in South Korea.

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