Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season.
2 Timothy 4:2
Tak Myong-Hwan (1994)
Condemned Cults
North Korea has become known for its persecution of Christians, but it is unusual to read of a Christian dying because of their faith in South Korea. This is exactly what happened to Tak Myong-Hwan, a theologian from Seoul. Before his murder he had received numerous death threats for his outspoken views on cults, and he had even survived attempts to kill him. South Korea has hundreds of sects, such as the Unification movement founded by Sun Myung Moon in 1954, and Myong-Hwan was very concerned about such movements that hold unorthodox beliefs and engage in strange practices.
In early 1994 he was found beaten to death outside his apartment. A member of an unorthodox sect was reported to have confessed to the murder.
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast put thine own eternity into our hearts, and desires which the world cannot satisfy: Lift our eyes, we pray thee, above the narrow horizons of this present world, that we may behold the things eternal in the heavens, wherein is laid up for us an inheritance that fadeth not away; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Parish Prayers (no. 535)