The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has issued a statement condemning recent actions by the South Korean government, alleging that state authorities have targeted the religious group in violation of constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. The church expressed profound concern over remarks made by President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, which it interprets as pre-judging the group before any formal investigation has concluded.
On 12 January, President Lee 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 used terms such as 'cult' and 'heresy' in a Cabinet meeting to order a joint investigation and 'eradication' measures. The Shincheonji Church argues that these statements effectively draw a conclusion before any investigation begins, compromising due process and the independence of the judiciary.
The church questions the authority of a secular government to define and judge religious doctrine, asserting that criteria for orthodoxy or heresy must be rooted in scripture, not political proximity. It draws a parallel to the historical persecution of Jesus Christ, who was branded a heretic by the religious establishment of his time. The church has repeatedly proposed an open, public Bible examination to resolve theological disputes but claims there has been no fair response to this invitation.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus emphasizes its commitment to correcting any genuine doctrinal or social errors, citing its voluntary service during national disasters and record-breaking blood drives as evidence of its positive societal contributions. It notes that despite numerous past allegations, judicial processes have repeatedly resulted in acquittals or findings of no suspicion. The church urges the government to cease emotional branding and base judgments on facts and law, warning that targeting one religion today could lead to the targeting of any marginalized group tomorrow.
The statement concludes by affirming the church's constitutional right to freedom of religion and its determination to stand firm in truth and faith within the framework of law and order. It calls on the government to return to its fundamental duty of serving all people equally and to move away from the politics of scapegoating.
