The Statement of Shincheonji Church of Jesus

The Statement of Shincheonji Church of Jesus

Politicians and certain media outlets must stop exploiting Shincheonji Church of Jesus for political contention. The Joint Investigation Headquarters must conduct an impartial investigation.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus expresses deep concern regarding the proliferation of speculative reports based solely on the unilateral claims of expelled individuals. These reports involve allegations of “mass entry into the People Power Party,” “interference in the Presidential election,” and “interference in the General election.”

We state clearly and unequivocally:

Shincheonji Church of Jesus has never instructed its members to join any political party, including the People Power Party or the Democratic Party of Korea, or to engage in political activities. Systematic election interference is neither structurally possible nor factually true.

The church does not have the means to know its members’ individual political choices, nor do we control them. Individual political activity is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution. Accordingly, we do not track the number of party members in our congregation, and we do not keep any such lists.

Despite this, certain politicians and media outlets are concluding that Shincheonji Church of Jesus is systematically interfering in elections in collusion with a specific party. This behavior amplifies unverified speculation and effectively predetermines the direction of the investigation before it has even concluded.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus seeks the establishment of truth based on facts, not speculation. Therefore, we officially demand that the Joint Investigation Headquarters conduct a fair verification process as follows.

First, the Joint Investigation Headquarters must conduct a simultaneous joint inquiry by cross-referencing the list of members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus with the political party rosters, including those of the Democratic Party and the People Power Party.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus clearly states its willingness to provide its membership list with the consent of its members. This investigation must not target a specific party alone. It must be, as the President instructed, an investigation “without sanctuary,” leaving no one exempt.

Second, if any individuals are confirmed to be registered members of any political party, the Headquarters must directly investigate the circumstances of their joining and whether there was any systemic instruction. Furthermore, the investigation must objectively verify whether these individuals participated in major intra-party elections, such as presidential primaries or party leadership primaries.

Third, if the claim persists that Shincheonji Church of Jesus received special favors through political intervention, specific details and evidence must be clearly presented. If political collusion actually existed, it could not explain the current reality where the church is blocked from using its own facilities as religious sites, even after purchasing spaces through a legally sound process.

We strongly demand that this matter be clarified not through suspicion targeting a specific party, but through a fair joint investigation that spans both ruling and opposition parties.

Fourth, the Headquarters must investigate whether there is collusion between politics and religion across all religious groups, including Protestant, Buddhist, and Catholic denominations, and must use the exact same methods applied to Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

20 January, 2026
All Members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus

Violation of Religious Freedom: Korean Government Under Fire Over Interference in Church Affairs.

Violation of Religious Freedom: Korean Government Under Fire Over Interference in Church Affairs.

The government has explicitly targeted a specific religious group, categorically labeling it a “social harm” and a “detriment” while mobilizing state power in a retaliatory manner. Such actions constitute a grave violation of Article 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which guarantees the freedom of religion and the principle of the separation of church and state. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus expresses profound concern over this unilateral interference by state power and strongly urges the administration to uphold the principles of fair, restrained, and constitutional governance.

On 12 January, 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.” This was followed on 13 January by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who, during a Cabinet meeting, utilized terms such as “cult” and “heresy” to order a joint investigation and “eradication” measures.

These statements effectively draw a conclusion before any formal investigation has begun. Such rhetoric from the head of the executive branch preemptively brands a specific religious group as a “socially problematic entity,” which could be interpreted as compromising the due process and principles of the investigative process.

While a government-mandated joint investigation is underway, the administration is blatantly dismantling constitutional boundaries by declaring the group a “cult” and a “harm” as a foregone conclusion. 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 criteria for “orthodoxy” or “heresy” must never be based on political proximity or secular interests; they must be rooted solely in the Holy Scriptures.

History repeats itself. 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 the faith. Similarly, is it justifiable to label a religious body “heretical” based on congregation size or the assertions of rival pastors rather than the content of the Bible today?

With due regard for the issue, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus has repeatedly proposed a transparent solution: let us resolve these theological disputes through an open, public Bible examination, grounded in the Holy Scripture rather than emotion or political pressure. To date, there has been no fair response to this invitation.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus has never claimed infallibility. If there are genuine doctrinal or social errors, we ask that they be identified with specificity. We are committed to correcting any faults and have consistently maintained this stance. The Bible’s teachings guide our actions as we strive to become upright believers respected in our communities. From voluntary service during national disasters to leading record-breaking blood drives during supply crises, we have sought to be a vital part of society. Despite this, the government continues to use abstract labels such as “harm” without presenting a single specific instance of verified damage.

Furthermore, despite numerous past allegations, the judicial process has repeatedly resulted in acquittals or findings of no suspicion. Recycling matters already settled by the courts as fuel for political and media attacks only leads spectators and all parties involved to question whether it reflects what the Republic of Korea stands for or marks a departure from the standards of a democratic state governed by the rule of law.

The President and the political establishment must move away from the politics of scapegoating and toward a politics of unity that serves all the people they represent. Attempts to use religious establishments to evade political risks, or to weaponize majority opinion to suppress a minority religion, serve neither national development nor democracy. The State has a duty to ensure that no citizen is ostracized or discriminated against on the basis of their faith.

If one religion is targeted today, any marginalized group could be the target tomorrow. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus will stand firm in truth and faith within the framework of law and order, and will not be silenced, affirming its constitutional right to freedom of religion. We call upon the government to cease emotional branding, base its judgments on facts and law, and return to its fundamental duty of serving all people equally.

The members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus have always been sincere as people of the Republic of Korea. They have shown it through their actions, including cooperating with authorities in a collaborative spirit, engaging in unsparing volunteerism, and donating blood that saved lives. As people of faith who believe in God and Jesus, and as people of this nation, the church members will continue to live up to who they are as they always have.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus slams “Extreme Bias” in French newspaper report

Shincheonji Church of Jesus slams “Extreme Bias” in French newspaper report

PARIS — The Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France has accused the French daily newspaper Le Parisien of publishing a distorted and biased article that defamed the religious community.

In a statement released April 9, the church criticized Le Parisien’s April 7 report, alleging it heavily relied on the one-sided accounts of former members while largely ignoring the church’s perspective. The church asserted that the article, titled “They Treated Us Like Animals,” severely damaged the honor of the church and its members.

The church pointed out that the article heavily emphasized the one-sided claims of former members while scarcely reflecting the actual nature of the faith community, thus presenting a biased view. The church also noted that, despite providing sincere answers during the interview, their position was reduced to just two lines in the article.

A church representative stated, “We sincerely submitted a detailed written response, amounting to several thousand characters, addressing the 12 questions the journalist had sent in advance. Yet, only two sentences from our response were included in the article.” The representative criticized this, saying, “That accounts for less than 1% of our full response, severely limiting readers’ ability to gain a balanced perspective.”

The representative further commented, “Judging by the fact that the article was published only four hours after we submitted our answers, it appears that the report had already been pre-written with a predetermined, targeted narrative.”

They added, “If written responses were not enough, the journalist could have visited the church in person to observe the faith community and hear directly from current members. The church is always open and ready for transparent communication with the media.”

In order to reflect the real experiences of its members, the church also shared testimonies from believers currently practicing their faith. Teresa (29), who has been attending the church in Paris for six years, said, “Faith is something you do voluntarily. Through this church, I came to truly understand God and learned how to act as a light in the world as one of His people.”

Another member, Axel (30), shared, “Before coming to the Shincheonji Church, I was searching for meaning in my life. Through my faith here, I was able to understand what God truly wants, and doing God’s work brings me great joy. Even while carrying out my mission, I’ve been able to travel, which I love, and I met my wife at the church. I’m living a truly fulfilling life.”

Regarding the article’s headline “They Treated Us Like Animals,” the church responded, “That expression deeply shocked and confused our members. No one has ever been treated in such a way, nor does anyone feel that way. It was clearly used as a sensational headline to attract attention.”

The church further explained, “In reality, we do not allow any form of threats or stigmatization against those who leave the church. There is a culture of respecting personal choice, even after someone decides to leave.”

As for the claim in the article that a woman ‘broke up with her boyfriend at the church’s request’, the church strongly refuted it, stating, “This is not true. The man in question was also a believer attending church at the time and was reportedly interested in marriage. However, the woman expressed that she wasn’t ready for marriage. The breakup was a personal decision made through discussion between the two individuals, based on their personal reflections and faith—not due to any pressure or suggestion from the church.”

The church emphasized, “Romantic relationships and marriage are personal matters based on individual autonomy and responsibility. Linking these decisions to church control is simply not factual.”

The church also raised concerns that parts of the interview included in the article described situations the interviewee had not actually experienced. “A photo showing someone with their feet on a radiator was described as a form of ‘punishment,’ but this image had nothing to do with any punishment and was taken even before the interviewee joined the church,” the church stated.

“The person in the photo is still an active believer in the church. At the time, he simply struck that pose as a joke to show he could do it, and someone else took the photo for fun. When he saw the article, he was shocked. The image was used without his consent, and the context was completely misrepresented. He plans to file an official complaint with the media outlet.”

The church emphasized, “It is deeply regrettable that the media reported such statements without proper fact-checking, as it risks creating a distorted perception among readers that the Shincheonji Church of Jesus as a whole is an irrational or abusive organization.”

Regarding the so-called “training camp” mentioned in the article, the church clarified: “This program was a short-term training that certain mission workers voluntarily chose to join in hopes of spiritual growth.”

“It consisted of activities like morning prayer and Bible meditation. Participants were free to leave at any time, and there was no physical punishment or coercion whatsoever. However, recognizing that the program could be misunderstood from an outside perspective, the church has since discontinued it,” they explained.

In response to allegations about the collection of personal data, internet use restrictions, and encouragement of cutting family ties, the church stated, “These claims are completely false. Only the minimum necessary information for faith counseling is collected.” They emphasized, “There has never been any restriction on internet use or external relationships. On the contrary, members are encouraged to live exemplary lives within their families and communities.”

Regarding the use of the name “ECA Academy,” the church explained, “It was a temporary name used in 2019 for a Bible education program. At the beginning of the course, it was clearly stated that it was affiliated with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and joining the church afterward was entirely up to the individual.”

In connection with the recent media coverage, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France called on the press to follow several principles:

  • Inclusive reporting that reflects a range of perspectives and experiences
  • Fair representation of the church’s official statements and responses
  • Opportunities for current members to share their genuine experiences
  • A journalistic culture that respects religious freedom and the dignity of believers
  • Avoidance of prejudiced framing through sensational headlines or expressions

A church representative stated, “Biased reporting on a specific religion or faith community can lead to stigmatization and prejudice against innocent members, ultimately infringing on their religious freedom and human rights. The media must move away from sensational, hate-inducing narratives and instead strive to present balanced information that embraces diverse voices with mutual respect.”

They added, “We hope that Le Parisien, along with all media outlets, will uphold higher ethical standards and fairness in religious reporting. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus will continue to do its utmost to promote better understanding through transparent communication and open dialogue.”

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are based on the official statement issued by the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in France. The views and allegations expressed herein reflect the perspective of the Church and its representatives in response to the article published by Le Parisien on April 7. Le Parisien has not responded to the claims made in this statement at the time of publication. This article is intended to present the Church’s response for informational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple viewpoints and conduct independent research to form a well-rounded understanding of the matter.