Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
January 23, 2026
Shincheonji Demands Fair Probe Into Political Interference Allegations
TLDR
- Shincheonji Church demands a fair investigation that could expose political exploitation and protect religious groups from unfair targeting by media and politicians.
- Shincheonji Church proposes a four-step verification process including cross-referencing membership lists with party rosters and investigating all religious groups equally for political collusion.
- This statement promotes truth over speculation, defending constitutional rights and calling for impartial investigations to reduce societal division and protect religious freedom.
- Shincheonji Church denies election interference allegations and challenges investigators to compare its membership lists with political party rosters to prove its innocence.
Impact - Why it Matters
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.
Summary
Shincheonji Church of Jesus has issued a forceful statement demanding an impartial investigation into allegations of political interference, denouncing what it calls speculative reports and political exploitation. The South Korea-based religious organization specifically addresses claims of "mass entry into the People Power Party" and systematic election interference, stating unequivocally that it has never instructed members to join any political party or engage in political activities. The church emphasizes that individual political choices are constitutional rights it neither tracks nor controls, challenging politicians and media outlets to stop amplifying unverified speculation that predetermines investigation outcomes.
The church's core demand centers on a fair verification process by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, proposing a simultaneous joint inquiry that cross-references Shincheonji membership lists with political party rosters across both ruling and opposition parties. Shincheonji expresses willingness to provide membership lists with member consent, insisting the investigation must be "without sanctuary" as instructed by the President and not target specific parties alone. The organization further demands investigation of whether individuals confirmed as party members joined through systemic instruction and participated in major intra-party elections like presidential primaries, while challenging accusers to present specific evidence of any political collusion or special favors received.
In a significant expansion of its demands, Shincheonji calls for the Joint Investigation Headquarters to investigate potential collusion between politics and religion across all religious groups including Protestant, Buddhist, and Catholic denominations using the exact same methods applied to Shincheonji. The church points to the contradiction between allegations of political influence and its current reality of being blocked from using purchased facilities as religious sites despite following legal processes. This comprehensive approach reflects Shincheonji's stated commitment to establishing truth based on facts rather than speculation, while positioning the controversy within broader concerns about religion-politics relationships in South Korean society.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Shincheonji Demands Fair Probe Into Political Interference Allegations
