Voice of the Martyrs Korea is asking that God's people everywhere sign a special petition addressed to the Russian government for the release of a Mrs. Park, a near 70-year-old missionary who was heading home to retire when she was arrested on trumped-up charges. Her "crime" seems to be that she had taught many young people about Jesus!
Here is the petition, but to sign it you must go to:
www.vomkorea.com/en/petition-2026
SUBJECT: Urgent Petition for the Release of Ms. Park Tae-yeon
We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of the Russian Federation to immediately and unconditionally release Ms. Park Tae-yeon, a citizen of the Republic of Korea currently detained in Khabarovsk, Russia.
- Personal Details of the Detainee
- Name: Park Tae-yeon
- Age: 69
- Nationality: Republic of Korea
- Case/Detention Number: 1260208004800001
- Date of Detention: January 15, 2026
- Place of Detention: Khaborovsk, Russia
- Grounds for Release
- Exemplary Service: Park Tae-yeon has been living with a sincere love for the country of Russia and its people since her arrival 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 a life of caring for her neighbors, and her pure spirit of service has become an example for many people around her. Park Tae-yeon is a transparent and good person like a child, without political ideology or impure purpose.
- Health and Safety Risks: Park Tae-yeon purchased a flight ticket to return home to the Republic of Korea in order to retire and receive care from her family due to her age but was prevented from departing due to her arrest.
- Lack of Consular Access: The prisoner has been denied consular access, violating Article 36 of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
- Wrongful Detainment: Park Tae-yeon has been charged with an immigration-related offense; however, a report on January 23, 2026 by the state-affiliated Russian media outlet RIA, cites a Khabarovsk city official who reports a months-long investigation by law enforcement agencies into religious camps for children in Khabarovsk. The report says, “As 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.” Ms. Park is clearly among those targeted. By legally charging her with an immigration-related violation but prosecuting a much broader case against her through state-affiliated media, authorities prevent Ms. Park, her family, and her representatives from (1) understanding the full scope of the case against her and (2) accessing appropriate legal resources for her defense. Further, the immigration charge against Ms. Park shields the Russian Federation from international accountability for its growing crackdown on basic religious freedoms in violation of established international norms.
- Petitioners’ Request
We urgently request that the relevant authorities:
- Immediately release Ms. Park Tae-yeon from detention.
- Ensure Ms.Park Tae-yeon receives immediate consular access.
- Allow Ms. Park Tae-yeon safe passage back to the Republic of Korea.
We, the undersigned, believe that the continued detention of Ms. Park Tae-yeon is an injustice that violates fundamental human rights.
Respectfully Submitted,
Voice of the Martyrs Korea
Basement level, 26, Solsaem-ro, Seongbuk-gu
Seoul, Korea 02709
