Moss Tann, and Eunpyeong First Church

Moss Tan and Eunpyeong Jeil Church

In July 2025, a foreigner appeared at a youth forum and rally held near a major subway station in Seoul. His name was Moss Tan. A former U.S. State Department Ambassador at Large for International Criminal Justice and currently the dean of the Liberty University School of Law, he spoke before the crowd without a microphone, stating that South Korea's liberal democracy was under threat. His voice was resolute, and his claims contained specific political messages. He raised concerns about potential election fraud and sharply criticized certain political groups. What was even more noticeable was the location where he stayed and the route he took. The first place Moss Tan visited was the Eunpyeong First Church located in Eunpyeong District, Seoul. A church vehicle accompanied him during his movements before and after the event, and the main meeting venue was the church's sanctuary. This carried implications beyond a mere religious visit. It raised questions about the reasons behind the close connection between the visit of an American legal expert and political messenger and a specific church.

Who is the figure of Moss Tan and why has he come?

Morse H. Tan is a Korean-American who served as the Ambassador-at-Large for International Criminal Justice at the U.S. Department of State during the Donald Trump administration. As a legal scholar, he has been interested in international human rights issues and gained recognition for his speeches highlighting the human rights situation in North Korea. However, in recent years, his actions have transcended those of a mere legal scholar or diplomat. Especially since 2020, he has frequently appeared in South Korea to raise concerns about the fairness of elections and has continuously delivered critical messages regarding certain political factions. In 2023, he claimed that irregularities occurred during the 2020 South Korean general elections and suggested the need for a U.S. monitoring team. Leading up to the 2024 elections, he engaged with various conservative groups in South Korea online and raised suspicions about the country's election management system again. His visit to South Korea in July 2025 was an extension of these activities. He delivered lectures to the youth on the themes of "the value of freedom" and "the transparency of elections" and also conducted a public speech in front of Seoul Station. In this speech, he emphasized the crisis of the liberal democratic system, concerns over religious freedom, and the silence of leaders from various sectors of society. Notably, his statement that "if the Yoon Suk-yeol government is impeached, it would have a substantial impact on U.S. security cooperation" was a sensitive message that could have diplomatic repercussions. His visit to South Korea was not just a series of lectures or academic exchanges it was an act of conveying political beliefs and messages, which had greater implications, particularly as the recipients of these messages were specific faith communities.

The church that systematically supported the visit of Moss Tan: Eunpyeong First Church

The place that provided the closest support for Mos Tan’s schedule in Korea was Eunpyeong First Church. This church reportedly provided transportation during his visit, opened its space for meetings, and offered human resources for event organization. Notably, the event “Meeting with the 2030 Generation” held on July 17 at the main hall of Eunpyeong First Church seems to have received substantial support from the church itself. The church framed the event not merely as an invitation to an external speaker, but as an opportunity to discuss faith and social issues together. However, the content was very political and heavily centered around a one-sided message. Mos Tan’s speech connected the oppression of freedom and faith, focusing on interpreting the current political situation in Korea from a specific perspective. The fact that the church was not just providing a venue but also resonating with and participating in that message is evident in various contexts. Senior Pastor Sim Habbo personally appeared at the event and introduced Mos Tan as “a messenger sent by God for this era,” and the church actively disseminated Mos Tan’s message through official channels and announcements to its members. This process operated not simply as an external lecture but as a form of international solidarity sharing the philosophy and vision of the church.

Epiphany Church: The Political Choices of a Church

Eunpyeong First Church, founded in 1981 in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, is a Presbyterian church with significant scale and influence within the local community. However, it gained particular attention after 2019. At that time, the senior pastor, Shim Haboh, began to blur the boundaries between the church and politics by participating directly in the Gwanghwamun rally, which strongly criticized the Moon Jae-in administration. He made statements during worship sermons indicating that "the country is becoming communist" and "we must stand up before God abandons this country," expressing a rejection of specific political forces. These remarks sparked the assessment that the church pulpit had transformed into a platform for political speech rather than merely expressing opinions. In 2020, the church resisted COVID-19 prevention measures and insisted on holding in-person worship services. Despite the Seoul Metropolitan Government's ban on gatherings, it continued face-to-face worship, which included unusual scenes of congregants attending services in protective suits. As a result, the church received a suspension order from the Eunpyeong District Office but successfully canceled the administrative order through legal action. The church then presented this as a case of defending religious freedom, claiming it was a "legitimate exercise of faith against the government's unconstitutional measures." However, civil society and the medical community perceived this as a serious threat to public health order, leading to a decline in social trust toward the church. Pastor Shim continued to express opposition to anti-discrimination laws, criticism of specific political parties, and public opposition to national policies through Sunday services. The church's activities evolved from being in the gray area between religion and politics to engaging in practical actions with a clear direction. Notably, around the time of the 2022 presidential elections, the church participated collectively in politically themed gatherings, such as the "National Elders' Alliance," and pastors appeared directly in speeches at public rallies near City Hall, clearly demonstrating that the church would not remain merely a religious institution.

The narrative shared by Mos Tan and Eunpyeong First Church

Moss Tan and Eunpyeong First Church share a narrative rather than merely cooperating. Both entities communicate messages centered around key themes of freedom, faith, and systemic crisis, and they possess a strong awareness that certain changes in Korean society are perceived as threats that must be addressed. The language they use is political, yet it is also infused with theological interpretation. For instance, criticism of government policies or electoral systems is interpreted not merely as a call for institutional reform but as a 'challenge to the freedom given by God.' This conveys a meaning that transcends simple political dissatisfaction and implies a spiritual battle, thus providing church members with a more immediate motivation for action. Moss Tan perceives his mission as informing the international community about the current situation in Korean society, while Eunpyeong First Church serves as a conduit for disseminating his message to Korean believers. Especially when Moss Tan mentions the repression of religious freedom in North Korea and relates it to the policies of the South Korean government, stating that 'religious freedom is being oppressed,' Eunpyeong First Church deeply resonates with this position. This dynamic can also be interpreted as a strategy for mutual support and securing external legitimacy for their claims. In other words, the church bestows international justification for its beliefs and activities through the figure of Moss Tan, while Moss Tan, in turn, projects his statements onto the realm of realpolitik through the church in Korea.

Conclusion: Signs of connection rather than just a visit

The visit of Mos Tan to Korea is not merely an academic exchange or a lecture event. It is a visit carried out with clear political goals and beliefs, and the role of Eunpyeong First Church in supporting this visit has been crucial. This church is adopting a complex strategy that spreads its social awareness through an American figure while borrowing external authority to justify its actions. When a religious institution becomes a hub for a specific political message, the question of what social consequences arise from it, beyond just the freedom of faith, is very important. Eunpyeong First Church has shown a clear direction and choice rather than political neutrality through its previous actions. Collaboration with Mos Tan can be interpreted as an international expansion of this direction, and it is necessary to carefully observe what political and religious repercussions this solidarity will provoke in the future. Interpretations surrounding faith and freedom, regime and justice still vary depending on individual perspectives however, one clear fact is that Mos Tan's visit to Korea symbolizes not just a visitation by a foreigner but also reflects the divisions and changes within Korean society. The questions raised by this meeting are not simple, and their answers are gradually being revealed through the ongoing actions of the church.