Shincheonji Church Challenges South Korean Government's Religious Targeting

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has issued a statement condemning what it describes as the South Korean government's explicit targeting of a specific religious group, labeling it a "social harm" and mobilizing state power in a retaliatory manner. The church asserts these actions constitute a grave violation of Article 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which guarantees freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. The statement expresses profound concern over this unilateral interference and urges the administration to uphold principles of fair, restrained, and constitutional governance.

The controversy stems from public statements made by government officials in January 2026. 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. The Shincheonji Church argues these statements effectively draw conclusions before any formal investigation has begun, preemptively branding the religious group as a socially problematic entity and potentially compromising due process.

While a government-mandated joint investigation is underway, the administration is accused of dismantling constitutional boundaries by declaring the group a "cult" and a "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 religious texts.

The Shincheonji Church draws historical parallels, noting that two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was branded a "heretic" and persecuted by the religious establishment of his time, yet history vindicated him as the cornerstone of faith. 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 these disputes, the church has repeatedly proposed resolving theological disagreements 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 statement clarifies that Shincheonji Church of Jesus has never claimed infallibility and is committed to correcting any genuine doctrinal or social errors if specifically identified. The church points to its community contributions, including voluntary service during national disasters and leading record-breaking blood drives during supply crises, as evidence of its desire to be a vital part of society. Despite these efforts, the government continues to use abstract labels such as "harm" without presenting specific instances of verified damage. Furthermore, the church notes that despite numerous past allegations, judicial processes have repeatedly resulted in acquittals or findings of no suspicion.

The Shincheonji Church warns that if one religion is targeted today, any marginalized group could be targeted tomorrow. The statement affirms the church's commitment to standing firm in truth and faith within the framework of law and order, exercising its constitutional right to freedom of religion. The church calls upon the government to cease emotional branding, base judgments on facts and law, and return to its fundamental duty of serving all people equally. The members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus describe themselves as sincere citizens of the Republic of Korea who have demonstrated their commitment through cooperation with authorities, volunteerism, and life-saving blood donations, and pledge to continue living as people of faith and nation.