The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has issued a strong statement accusing the South Korean government of targeting the religious group in violation of constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. The church specifically points to remarks made by President Lee Jae-myung on January 12, who stated during a meeting with religious leaders that 'societal harm [caused by a specific religion] has been neglected for too long, resulting in great damage.' The following day, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok used terms such as 'cult' and 'heresy' during a Cabinet meeting, ordering a joint investigation and 'eradication' measures.
The church argues that these statements effectively conclude the investigation before it has begun, compromising due process. 'By what authority does a secular government define and judge religious doctrine?' the statement asks, asserting that the government is dismantling constitutional boundaries by branding the group a 'harm' as a foregone conclusion. The church emphasizes that criteria for 'orthodoxy' or 'heresy' must be based solely on the Holy Scriptures, not political proximity or secular interests.
The statement draws a historical parallel to the persecution of Jesus Christ, who was labeled a 'heretic' by the religious establishment of his time. It questions whether it is justifiable to label a religious body 'heretical' based on congregation size or assertions of rival pastors rather than biblical content. The church has repeatedly proposed an open, public Bible examination to resolve theological disputes transparently, but claims there has been no fair response to this invitation.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus acknowledges that it does not claim infallibility and is committed to correcting any genuine doctrinal or social errors if identified with specificity. It highlights its contributions to society, including voluntary service during national disasters and record-breaking blood drives during supply crises. Despite past allegations, the church notes that judicial processes have repeatedly resulted in acquittals or findings of no suspicion, yet the government continues to use abstract labels such as 'harm' without presenting specific instances of verified damage.
The statement calls on the government to cease emotional branding and base judgments on facts and law, urging a return to its fundamental duty of serving all people equally. It warns that if one religion is targeted today, any marginalized group could be targeted tomorrow. The church affirms its constitutional right to freedom of religion and asserts it will stand firm in truth and faith within the framework of law and order.
