Nepal Detains 24 South Korean Christians for Conducting Religious Training on Tourist Visas

Nepalese authorities detained 24 South Korean Christians in October 2026 after discovering they were conducting religious training sessions while holding tourist visas.

Officials said the group entered Nepal as tourists but organized and led what amounted to a structured religious education program, an activity that requires a separate permit under Nepalese law.

Nepal's constitution prohibits proselytizing and places restrictions on religious activities by foreign nationals. Authorities said the South Koreans were found leading sessions that included Bible instruction and evangelism training for local participants.

The detainees were held for questioning before being released. Some were ordered to leave the country, while others faced fines. Nepalese officials said the case would be reviewed to determine whether additional charges were warranted.

Christian advocacy organizations, including groups that monitor religious freedom in South Asia, said the detentions reflect a broader pattern of restrictions on Christian activity in Nepal.

"Nepal has become increasingly difficult for Christian workers," said a spokesperson for one advocacy group. "The legal framework is used selectively, and the consequences for foreign Christians can be severe."

South Korean church networks have a significant presence in Nepal, where they have operated schools, medical clinics, and community development programs for decades. Many of those programs operate without incident, but religious training activities have drawn scrutiny from authorities in recent years.

The South Korean government said it was monitoring the situation and had been in contact with its embassy in Kathmandu. No formal diplomatic protest had been filed as of the time of reporting.