{"id":57920,"date":"2026-03-03T10:00:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T01:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?p=57920"},"modified":"2026-03-03T15:36:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T06:36:42","slug":"vomk-report-387","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/2026\/03\/03\/vomk-report-387\/","title":{"rendered":"RUSSIA: KOREAN MISSIONARY MOVED TO HOUSE ARREST, THEN TAKEN TO DETENTION CAMP"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”57922″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”A Korean missionary imprisoned in Khabarovsk on immigration-related charges was moved from prison to house arrest after agreeing to remain there until after her trial, but witnesses say she was forcibly removed from her home the next day by masked law enforcement agents who took her to a detention center for foreigners. An online petition calling for the release of the missionary, Park Tae-Yeon, has now amassed more than 3,200 signatures internationally. Organizers plan to deliver the petition to the Russian embassy in Seoul once 5,000 signatures are secured.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:1.2em|text_align:left|color:%23111111″ google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”” el_class=”headline”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]That\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0the update from persecution watchdog Voice of the Martyrs Korea, which has been advocating for the release of Missionary Park Tae-Yeon since her arrest on January 15<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0one week before she was scheduled to return home to Korea to retire<\/span>\u00a0at age 70<\/span><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]The organization<\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>petition\u00a0<\/span>can be accessed at\u00a0<\/span><\/span>https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/petition-2026<\/span><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”57531″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Screenshot of the petition urging the release of Ms. Park Tae-Yeon” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Voice of the Martyrs Korea\u00a0<\/span>CEO Pastor Eric<\/span>\u00a0Foley says that with no sign of Missionary Park\u2019s release in sight,\u00a0<\/span>he\u00a0<\/span>believes\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0more important than ever for all Koreans to sign it.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\u201cMissionary Park now has an attorney\u00a0<\/span>representing<\/span>\u00a0her<\/span>. S<\/span>he is<\/span>\u00a0currently<\/span>\u00a0able to receive visits from the Korean consulate<\/span>\u00a0and has been able to be in limited contact with family and friends by phone. She\u00a0<\/span>is in good health and good spirits,<\/span>\u201d says\u00a0<\/span>Pastor\u00a0<\/span>Foley.<\/span>\u00a0\u201cBut every indication is that the case will go to trial<\/span>\u00a0with a possible\u00a0<\/span>5<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>10-year<\/span>\u00a0sentence<\/span>, and that Russian authorities\u00a0<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>continu<\/span>ing<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>their\u00a0<\/span>investigat<\/span>ion into\u00a0<\/span>Missionary Park\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>activities.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Pastor\u00a0<\/span>Foley says\u00a0<\/span>Voice of the Martyrs Korea\u00a0<\/span>remains<\/span>\u00a0concerned that authorities may be investigating Missionary Park not only for immigration-related violations but also for alleged religious activities.\u00a0<\/span>H<\/span>e points to a<\/span>\u00a0report on January 23,\u00a0<\/span>2026,<\/span>\u00a0by the state-affiliated Russian media outlet RIA<\/span>. That report\u00a0<\/span>cites a Khabarovsk city official\u00a0<\/span>who alleges\u00a0<\/span>a months-long investigation by law enforcement agencies into religious camps for children in Khabarovsk<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Th<\/span>e RIA\u00a0<\/span>report says, \u201cAs a result of the investigation, the activities of a citizen of the Republic of Korea, who carried out missionary work while hiding behind plausible goals, were stopped.\u201d The\u00a0<\/span>report\u00a0<\/span>claim<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0that\u00a0<\/span>workers<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>involved in the camps\u00a0<\/span>brainwashed children, forcing them to copy the Bible for hours<\/span>, with the\u00a0<\/span>ultimate goal<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<\/span>tak<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0the children to Korea.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”57529″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Screenshot of the article on the ria.ru website (https:\/\/ria.ru\/20260123\/habarovsk-2069843523.html)” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]\u201cThe fact that Missionary Park has now been detained for a month\u00a0<\/span>while authorities\u00a0<\/span>continu<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0to investigate her is troubling,\u201d says\u00a0<\/span>Pastor\u00a0<\/span>Foley.\u00a0<\/span>He\u00a0<\/span>says the petition by\u00a0<\/span>his\u00a0<\/span>organization is not only an attempt to advocate for Missionary Park\u2019s release but also an effort to keep her case in the public eye.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\u201cNothing good happens\u00a0<\/span>to prisoners\u00a0<\/span>when\u00a0<\/span>the world\u00a0<\/span>is silent<\/span>\u00a0about them<\/span>,\u201d says\u00a0<\/span>Pastor\u00a0<\/span>Foley.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”57528″ img_size=”medium” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Ms. Park Tae-yeon has been living with a sincere love for the country of Russia and its people since she arrived there in 1993.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Pastor Foley\u00a0<\/span>points to the treatment of Missionary Park in the period\u00a0<\/span>immediately<\/span>\u00a0following her\u00a0<\/span>arrest, before<\/span>\u00a0her case had been publicized outside of Russia.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>A<\/span>uthorities moved Missionary Park to house arrest in early February<\/span>. Then according to witnesses,\u00a0<\/span>masked law enforcement agents\u00a0<\/span>forcibly\u00a0<\/span>moved her again<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the next day\u00a0<\/span>without\u00a0<\/span>indicating<\/span>\u00a0where\u00a0<\/span>they were taking her<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u201d Pastor Foley says that c<\/span>oncerned local Christians\u00a0<\/span>ultimately traced<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Missionary Park\u2019s location\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>a detention camp for foreigners<\/span>, where she had been sent<\/span>\u00a0because her visa had expired<\/span><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\u201cThat kind of treatment of prisoners is unacceptable, and the best protection for prisoners is letting governments know that we are watching them and expecting them to meet their international\u00a0<\/span>obligations for fair and just treatment of prisoners<\/span><\/span>,<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0says Pastor Foley.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]In a press conference held at\u00a0<\/span>Voice of the Martyrs\u00a0<\/span>Korea\u2019s Seoul office on February 4,\u00a0<\/span>Representative Dr<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Hyun Sook Foley call<\/span>ed<\/span>\u00a0th<\/span>e arrest of Missionary Park\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>ridiculous<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\u201c<\/span><\/span>Ms.\u00a0<\/span>Park Tae-<\/span>yeon<\/span>\u00a0has been living with a sincere love for<\/span>\u00a0the country of Russia and its people since\u00a0<\/span>she arrived there\u00a0<\/span>in 1993. She has no prior criminal history. She has lived her whole life as a single person and has devoted herself to the locals for 33 years, to the point where she says she is married to Russia. She has practiced\u00a0<\/span>a life of caring<\/span>\u00a0for her neighbors, and her pure spirit of service has become an example for many people around h<\/span>er<\/span>. Park Tae-<\/span>yeon<\/span>\u00a0is a transparent and good person like a child, without political ideology or impure purpose.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”57555″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Screenshot of the video published by Readovka.news” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]The Foleys say they\u00a0<\/span>wil<\/span>l exhaust every effort to see Ms. Park freed. Voice of the Martyrs Korea has posted\u00a0<\/span>an online petition at\u00a0<\/span><\/span>https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/petition-2026<\/span><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The petition currently has more than 3,200 signatures from Korea as well as the United States, Canada, Russia, Poland, and Australia. The Foleys had initially planned to deliver the petition to the Russian Embassy in Seoul shortly after\u00a0<\/span>Chinese New Year,\u00a0<\/span>but they say that\u00a0<\/span>international interest in Missionary Park\u2019s case has continued to grow\u00a0<\/span>as a result of<\/span>\u00a0foreign media reports. \u201cWe\u2019re encouraged to see people around the world standing up for Missionary Park by signing the petition,\u201d says Pastor Foley. \u201cThey\u00a0<\/span>know that justice is best served by sending her home to Korea, where she had a plane ticket to go one week after her arrest.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]The Foleys now hope to secure 5,000 signatures on the petition before delivering it to the Russian Embassy by mid-March.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”57922″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”A Korean missionary imprisoned in Khabarovsk on immigration-related charges was moved from prison to house arrest after agreeing to remain there until after her trial, but …","protected":false},"author":1959,"featured_media":57923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[857,235,140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-russian-special","category-special-column","category-vomk-report"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ko","en","zh","ru"],"languages":{"ko":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1959"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57920"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57920\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58809,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57920\/revisions\/58809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}