The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has issued a formal demand for the Joint Investigation Headquarters to conduct a simultaneous joint inquiry by cross-referencing its membership lists with political party rosters, including those of the Democratic Party and the People Power Party. This demand comes in response to what the church describes as speculative reports alleging "mass entry into the People Power Party," "interference in the Presidential election," and "interference in the General election." The church states these reports are based solely on claims from expelled individuals.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus asserts it has never instructed its members to join any political party or engage in political activities, calling systematic election interference "neither structurally possible nor factually true." The church emphasizes it does not track members' political choices or maintain lists of party affiliations among congregants, stating that individual political activity is a constitutional right. Despite this, certain politicians and media outlets have concluded the church is systematically interfering in elections in collusion with a specific party.
The church's four-point demand includes a call for investigation of all political parties, not just specific ones, in line with what it describes as the President's instruction for an investigation "without sanctuary." The church states its willingness to provide membership lists with member consent for cross-referencing purposes. If any individuals are confirmed as registered party members, the Headquarters must investigate their joining circumstances and whether there was systemic instruction, while also verifying participation in major intra-party elections like presidential or leadership primaries.
Regarding allegations of receiving special favors through political intervention, Shincheonji demands specific details and evidence be presented, noting the contradiction that the church remains blocked from using facilities purchased through legal processes as religious sites. The church further demands investigation of potential collusion between politics and religion across all religious groups, including Protestant, Buddhist, and Catholic denominations, using the same methods applied to Shincheonji. More information about the church's position can be found at https://www.shincheonji.org.
This development matters because it addresses fundamental questions about religious influence in democratic processes and the integrity of election systems. The allegations, if proven, could indicate significant vulnerabilities in political party membership systems and raise concerns about foreign religious organizations influencing domestic politics. Conversely, if the allegations are unfounded, the case highlights risks of religious discrimination and political scapegoating in polarized environments. The outcome could set precedents for how governments investigate religious organizations and establish boundaries between religious freedom and political participation.
The implications extend beyond South Korea, as Shincheonji has congregants worldwide and similar allegations could emerge in other democracies. The investigation's methodology—particularly the cross-referencing of religious and political membership databases—raises privacy concerns and could influence how other nations handle similar allegations. For the business community, prolonged political-religious controversies can create uncertainty affecting investment decisions and economic stability. The church's reference to being blocked from using legally purchased facilities despite allegations of political favoritism suggests potential property rights issues that could concern international investors monitoring regulatory consistency.
