In light of the upcoming United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, civil society organizations in Seoul South Korea urged the government to intervene and close down religious institutions abusing individuals' rights to practice their religion freely.

New York Times advertisement titled 'Ban Coercive Conversion' was released in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the death of Ji-in Gu of Hwasun, Jeonnam in South Korea. She was kidnapped and forced to give up her vested rights due to the demands of a church determined to change her religion. The ad brings this serious issue back into focus.