Marriage-Visa-Holding American Faces Deportation Over Alleged Religious Conversion Campaign in Nepal
KAVREPALANCHOK, Nepal — A 72-year-old American citizen of Korean origin, who had been living in Nepal on a marriage visa, faces deportation after authorities accused him of illegally promoting Christianity and violating his visa conditions.
Peter, also known as Kim Kwang-sung, was taken into custody on July 21 by a joint team from the Kavrepalanchok District Police Office and the Namobuddha Police Post in Namobuddha Municipality-2, officials said.
Police said they acted on complaints alleging that he pressured local children and their parents to adopt Christianity while offering education and residential facilities. Authorities also alleged that he used his marriage visa to engage in activities beyond the visa’s stated purpose.
Allegations Involving Children
According to preliminary findings by the Department of Immigration and Kavrepalanchok police, Peter operated the Light & Salt Christian School in Namobuddha Municipality-2, where 25 children were enrolled. Another 29 children were reportedly housed in an affiliated hostel.
Investigators allege that children and their parents were required to attend church and participate in daily Christian prayers, facing psychological pressure to convert to Christianity.
Peter is married to a 35-year-old Nepali woman and obtained permission to reside in Nepal under a marriage visa, according to the Department of Immigration. The couple has two children. Prior to and following the marriage, he had traveled to Nepal on business and tourist visas, the investigation revealed.
After marrying the Nepali woman, Peter allegedly registered and operated businesses, institutes, and schools in her name. Immigration officials said he retained full control over the institutions’ financial, administrative, and management operations.
Investigators also found that Peter was previously married to a Canadian citizen but failed to submit documentation proving that the marriage had ended in divorce, officials said.
Nepal’s Criminal Code prohibits forcing, enticing, or improperly influencing people to change their religion. Under Immigration Rules, foreign nationals may stay in Nepal on marriage visas based on family ties; however, authorities may take legal action if a visa holder uses the visa for unauthorized activities.
Funding and Broader Network
According to the investigation and Peter’s official statement, he is a retired U.S. resident who receives a monthly pension. Authorities said his activities in Nepal were financed primarily through his U.S. pension and support from foreign Christian donor organizations.
Immigration officials said Peter operated the Light & Salt Christian School in Banepa and Namobuddha. The school was initially established by another Korean missionary, but Peter assumed full responsibility after the death of his first wife and fellow missionary, Lee Ye-shin, in 2022.
In August 2023, an eight-member mission team from New York Pyungkang Church provided $15,000 — approximately 2 million Nepali rupees at the time — for the school and mission, authorities said. The funds were reportedly used to install a solar energy system, purchase a 55-inch television, and repair classrooms.
The investigation found that Peter’s network extended beyond Kavrepalanchok. Authorities allege that he operated a Korean-language institute in Banepa to attract Nepali youths and connect them to religious activities.
Police and immigration officials said he also collaborated with Banepa’s Sion Church to support Mahima (also known as Somang) Church in a nearby hill district. Through a couple in Sindhuli, he allegedly helped establish New Life Church in April 2022 and provided financial support to local pastors.
Authorities further allege that Peter had been associated since 2014 with Charikot Deaf School in Dolakha, where he and other Korean missionaries conducted religious worship and baptism activities using sign language while claiming to assist more than 30 residential deaf students.
Investigators noted that Peter’s own records indicated these activities in Dolakha were carried out discreetly due to concerns over potential legal action and deportation.
Six-Year Entry Ban
Kavrepalanchok police confirmed they are investigating the allegations of forced religious conversion and visa violations.
The Department of Immigration determined that Peter misused his visa and has initiated deportation proceedings, according to officials. The department has also decided to bar him from re-entering Nepal for six years.
Nepali authorities have previously taken action against foreign nationals accused of using tourist or other visas to engage in proselytizing and illegal religious conversion activities.