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 targeted attacks against the religious organization. The church asserts that government officials have preemptively branded it as a 'social harm' and 'detriment' while mobilizing state power in a retaliatory manner, actions it claims constitute a grave violation of Article 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea.
On January 12, President Lee Jae-myung 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 Min-seok utilized terms such as 'cult' and 'heresy' during a Cabinet meeting to order a joint investigation and 'eradication' measures against the church. The Shincheonji statement argues these pronouncements effectively draw conclusions before any formal investigation has begun, potentially compromising due process and investigative principles.
The church questions the authority of a secular government to define and judge religious doctrine, asking 'By what authority does a secular government define and judge religious doctrine? On what legal basis does the highest seat of power provide 'investigative guidelines' that undermine the independence of the judiciary?' 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 religious scripture.
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.' The church questions whether it is justifiable to label a religious body 'heretical' based on congregation size or assertions of rival pastors rather than biblical content. In response to theological disputes, Shincheonji has repeatedly proposed resolving matters through open, public Bible examination grounded in scripture rather than emotion or political pressure, though it reports receiving 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. It points to its community contributions, including voluntary service during national disasters and leading record-breaking blood drives during supply crises, as evidence of its positive societal role. Despite these efforts, the church claims the government continues to use abstract labels such as 'harm' without presenting specific instances of verified damage.
Furthermore, the statement notes that despite numerous past allegations, judicial processes have repeatedly resulted in acquittals or findings of no suspicion. The church argues that recycling matters already settled by the courts as fuel for political and media attacks raises questions about South Korea's commitment to democratic principles and rule of law. The statement warns that 'If one religion is targeted today, any marginalized group could be the target tomorrow,' emphasizing the broader implications for minority rights in a democratic society.
The Shincheonji Church asserts it will stand firm in truth and faith within legal frameworks, affirming its constitutional right to freedom of religion. It calls upon the government to cease what it describes as emotional branding, base judgments on facts and law, and return to its fundamental duty of serving all people equally. The statement concludes by affirming that church members, as people of faith and citizens of South Korea, will continue to live according to their beliefs while contributing to society through actions such as volunteerism and blood donation that have saved lives.
