Twenty-four South Korean Christians Arrested at Nepalese Bible College

Nepalese authorities arrested 24 South Korean Christians on October 9 at the Nepal New Covenant College in the Morang District. The individuals were taken into custody following complaints regarding alleged illegal religious teaching, training, and promotion. Sarad KC, the college principal, stated that the visitors were engaged in private interactions with believers at the institution rather than conducting public proselytization.

This incident occurs amid reports of increasing hostility toward religious minorities in Nepal, a nation that is over 80% Hindu. While the country’s Christian population has grown to approximately 1.5 million, observers note a shift toward state-sanctioned discrimination. Some analysts suggest that this trend may be influenced by the regional influence of pro-Hindu nationalist groups. The arrest of the South Korean nationals reflects a broader pattern of international scrutiny and legal challenges facing missionaries and Christian groups in various countries.