South Korean court grants refugee status to Iranian Christian convert

The Seoul Administrative Court has ruled in favor of an Iranian national who converted from Islam to Christianity, granting him refugee status. The court overturned a previous decision by the Seoul Immigration and Foreigner Office that had denied his asylum request.

Judge Cho Dae-hyun noted that under Sharia law, which is deeply integrated into Iran's national identity, religious conversion is considered apostasy and can be punishable by death. The court found that the plaintiff's religious activities, including participating in underground 'house churches,' could lead to criminal prosecution or execution in his home country.

The plaintiff, who was raised in a Muslim family and attended an Islamic seminary, sought Christian education in Turkey, Armenia, and the Philippines before arriving in South Korea in 2018. The court validated the credibility of his testimony, noting his specific knowledge of Christian practices in Iran, such as using the term 'swimming' as a code for baptism.

Furthermore, the court highlighted that the current geopolitical tensions and conflicts involving Iran increase the risk of human rights violations and discrimination against religious minorities.