The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has issued a formal statement condemning what it describes as the South Korean government's unconstitutional targeting of its religious community. The church asserts that recent statements by President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok have preemptively branded the group as a 'social harm' and 'cult,' violating Article 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which guarantees freedom of religion and mandates separation of church and state.
During a January 12 meeting with religious leaders, President Lee stated 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 declarations effectively draw conclusions before any formal investigation has begun, compromising due process and investigative independence.
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 'investigative guidelines' that might undermine judicial independence. The statement emphasizes that criteria for religious orthodoxy should be based solely on scriptural interpretation rather than political considerations or secular interests.
Historical parallels are drawn to the persecution of Jesus Christ, who was branded a heretic by religious authorities of his time. The church questions whether contemporary religious labeling is justified by congregation size or rival pastors' assertions rather than biblical content. As a proposed resolution, Shincheonji has repeatedly invited open public Bible examinations to resolve theological disputes through scriptural debate rather than political pressure, though the church reports receiving no fair response to these invitations.
While acknowledging it has never claimed infallibility, the church states it remains committed to correcting any genuine doctrinal or social errors if specifically identified. The statement highlights the group's community contributions, including voluntary service during national disasters and organizing record-breaking blood drives during supply crises, available at https://www.shincheonji.kr/en/. Despite these efforts, the church contends the government continues using abstract labels without presenting verified instances of specific damage.
Legal history is cited as significant context, with the statement noting that past allegations against Shincheonji have repeatedly resulted in judicial acquittals or findings of no suspicion. The church argues that recycling settled matters for political purposes raises questions about South Korea's commitment to democratic rule of law standards.
The broader implications extend beyond religious freedom to democratic governance principles. The statement warns that 'If one religion is targeted today, any marginalized group could be the target tomorrow,' positioning the conflict as a test case for minority protections in democratic societies. The church calls for government judgments based on facts and law rather than emotional branding, urging a return to equal service for all citizens regardless of faith.
Shincheonji members affirm their dual identity as people of faith and citizens of South Korea, citing cooperation with authorities, volunteerism, and life-saving blood donations as evidence of their sincere integration into society. The church pledges to continue operating within legal frameworks while asserting its constitutional rights, maintaining its community engagement through initiatives documented at https://www.scjnews.net/. This confrontation highlights tensions between state authority and religious autonomy that resonate globally where governments regulate religious expression.
