The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has issued a statement accusing the South Korean government of violating constitutional religious freedom protections through what it describes as targeted actions against the religious organization. The church contends that recent statements by President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok have effectively branded the group as a "social harm" and "cult" before any formal investigation has concluded, undermining due process and constitutional principles.
On January 12, 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 reportedly used terms including "cult" and "heresy" while ordering joint investigation and eradication measures during a Cabinet meeting. The Shincheonji Church argues these statements constitute prejudgment that compromises investigative independence and violates Article 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which guarantees religious freedom and separation of church and state.
The church questions the government's authority to define religious doctrine, asking "By what authority does a secular government define and judge religious doctrine?" and challenging the legal basis for what it calls "investigative guidelines" that undermine judicial independence. The organization emphasizes that criteria for religious orthodoxy should be based solely on scriptural interpretation rather than political considerations or secular interests.
In response to the controversy, Shincheonji has repeatedly proposed resolving theological disputes through public Bible examination rather than political pressure. The church maintains it has never claimed infallibility and is committed to correcting any genuine doctrinal or social errors if specifically identified. Despite this position, the church states the government continues to use abstract labels without presenting verified instances of specific damage.
The statement references historical parallels, noting that "Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was branded a 'heretic' and persecuted by the religious establishment of his time," while questioning whether contemporary judgments are based on scriptural content or external factors like congregation size or rival assertions. The church also points to judicial outcomes, stating that "despite numerous past allegations, the judicial process has repeatedly resulted in acquittals or findings of no suspicion."
Beyond theological concerns, the statement warns of broader implications for democratic governance, suggesting that "If one religion is targeted today, any marginalized group could be the target tomorrow." The church calls for government action based on facts and law rather than what it characterizes as emotional branding, urging a return to equal service for all citizens regardless of faith. The organization maintains its members have demonstrated civic commitment through volunteer service during national disasters and record-breaking blood donations during supply crises, as documented in their community engagement efforts at https://www.shincheonji.kr/en.
This confrontation raises significant questions about the balance between state authority and religious freedom in democratic societies, particularly regarding how governments address concerns about religious organizations while maintaining constitutional protections. The Shincheonji Church's allegations highlight tensions between religious autonomy and state oversight that have implications for minority rights and democratic norms in South Korea and potentially other nations facing similar dilemmas.
