The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has issued a formal statement accusing the South Korean government of violating constitutional religious freedom protections through what it describes as retaliatory state action targeting the specific religious group. The statement expresses profound concern over what it calls unilateral interference by state power, urging the administration to uphold principles of fair, restrained, and constitutional governance. This controversy stems from recent statements by President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok that have effectively branded the church as problematic before any formal investigation has concluded.
On January 12, President Lee stated during a meeting with religious leaders that societal harm caused by a specific religion had been neglected for too long, resulting in great damage. The following day, Prime Minister Kim utilized terms including 'cult' and 'heresy' during a Cabinet meeting while ordering joint investigation and eradication measures. The Shincheonji statement argues these pronouncements effectively draw conclusions before any formal investigation has begun, potentially compromising due process and investigative principles. While a government-mandated joint investigation is underway, the administration is accused of dismantling constitutional boundaries by declaring the group a cult and harm as a foregone conclusion.
The church questions by what authority a secular government defines and judges religious doctrine, and on what legal basis the highest seat of power provides investigative guidelines that might undermine judicial independence. The statement emphasizes that criteria for orthodoxy or heresy must never be based on political proximity or secular interests, but must be rooted solely in Holy Scriptures. Drawing historical parallels, the statement notes that two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was branded a heretic and persecuted by the religious establishment of his time, yet history has vindicated Jesus as the cornerstone of faith.
Shincheonji has repeatedly proposed resolving theological disputes through an open, public Bible examination grounded in Scripture rather than emotion or political pressure, but claims there has been no fair response to this invitation. The church acknowledges it has never claimed infallibility and states it is committed to correcting any genuine doctrinal or social errors if specifically identified. The statement highlights the church's community contributions, including voluntary service during national disasters and leading record-breaking blood drives during supply crises, questioning why the government continues to use abstract labels like 'harm' without presenting specific verified instances of damage.
Furthermore, the statement notes that despite numerous past allegations, judicial processes have repeatedly resulted in acquittals or findings of no suspicion. Recycling matters already settled by the courts as fuel for political and media attacks raises questions about whether South Korea is departing from standards of a democratic state governed by rule of law. The church calls upon the President and political establishment to move away from scapegoating politics toward unity politics serving all people, warning that attempts to use religious establishments to evade political risks or weaponize majority opinion to suppress minority religions serve neither national development nor democracy.
The statement concludes with a warning that if one religion is targeted today, any marginalized group could be targeted tomorrow. Shincheonji affirms it will stand firm in truth and faith within legal frameworks, calling upon the government to cease emotional branding, base judgments on facts and law, and return to its fundamental duty of serving all people equally. Church members, described as sincere people of South Korea who have demonstrated cooperation with authorities, volunteerism, and life-saving blood donations, pledge to continue living as people of faith and nation as they always have.
