Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
January 22, 2026
Shincheonji Church Accuses South Korean Government of Religious Persecution
TLDR
- Shincheonji Church can leverage this controversy to strengthen its constitutional rights and gain public sympathy by highlighting government overreach and judicial acquittals.
- The South Korean government initiated a joint investigation against Shincheonji Church, labeling it a cult before due process, potentially violating constitutional religious freedom protections.
- This situation threatens religious freedom for all minorities, as targeting one group sets a dangerous precedent that undermines democratic values and social unity.
- Shincheonji Church proposes resolving theological disputes through public Bible examinations rather than political pressure, echoing historical parallels to early Christian persecution.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it represents a significant test of religious freedom and constitutional protections in a democratic society. When governments begin labeling religious groups as "social harms" and ordering their "eradication" based on theological judgments rather than specific legal violations, it sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the fundamental rights of all minority groups. The Shincheonji case echoes historical patterns where states have used religious persecution as a political tool, potentially undermining the rule of law and due process protections that form the foundation of democratic governance. For citizens, this raises concerns about whether constitutional guarantees of religious freedom will be upheld when unpopular or minority faiths face government pressure, and whether political expediency might override legal principles in determining which religious expressions are permitted in society.
Summary
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has issued a forceful condemnation of the South Korean government's recent actions, accusing President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok of unconstitutionally targeting their religious group. In a press release, the church states that government officials have explicitly labeled Shincheonji a "social harm" and "detriment," with the Prime Minister ordering a joint investigation and "eradication" measures while using terms like "cult" and "heresy." The church argues these statements constitute a grave violation of Article 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which guarantees religious freedom and the separation of church and state, and represent a dangerous pre-judgment that compromises due process before any formal investigation has concluded.
Central to the church's defense is their repeated proposal for a transparent resolution: they challenge the government to engage in an open, public Bible examination to settle theological disputes based on scripture rather than political pressure or emotion. The church emphasizes that criteria for orthodoxy must be rooted solely in the Holy Scriptures, not political proximity or secular interests, drawing a historical parallel to how Jesus Christ was branded a heretic by the religious establishment of his time. They maintain that despite numerous past allegations, judicial processes have repeatedly resulted in acquittals or findings of no suspicion, and they question the recycling of these settled matters for political purposes.
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus asserts its members have demonstrated their sincerity as citizens through concrete actions, including voluntary service during national disasters and leading record-breaking blood drives during supply crises. They warn that if one religion is targeted today, any marginalized group could be targeted tomorrow, and they call upon the government to cease emotional branding and return to its fundamental duty of serving all people equally. The church vows to stand firm in truth and faith within the framework of law and order, affirming its constitutional right to freedom of religion while continuing to live as people of faith and citizens of the Republic of Korea.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Shincheonji Church Accuses South Korean Government of Religious Persecution
