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Shincheonji Demands Fair Probe Into Political Interference Allegations

Shincheonji Church demands impartial investigation into political interference allegations, denies instructing members to join parties, calls for equal scrutiny of all religious groups in South Korea.

This news matters because it highlights critical tensions between religious freedom, political neutrality, and democratic processes in South Korea. The allegations of religious groups influencing elections strike at the heart of democratic integrity, potentially undermining public trust in political institutions. For Shincheonji's global congregants, the controversy represents another chapter in the church's complex relationship with South Korean authorities and media, following previous controversies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The church's demand for equal scrutiny of all religious groups raises important questions about selective investigation and religious discrimination in political contexts. This case could set precedents for how governments investigate alleged religion-politics collusion while balancing constitutional protections for religious freedom and political participation. The outcome may influence international perceptions of South Korea's democratic maturity and its handling of minority religious groups, with implications for religious freedom advocacy worldwide.