“This could turn into a religious war if left unattended.”
This was President Lee Jae-myung’s remark during the Cabinet meeting on the 2nd.
Holding a prepared memo, President Lee stated, “There have been cases where religious foundations engaged in politics in an organized and systematic manner.” Looking around at the ministers present, he used strong phrases such as “a very serious situation” and “a grave constitutional violation.” His point: the constitutional principle that religion must not intervene in politics has been violated.
Some observers interpreted the remarks as targeting the Unification Church. President Lee referenced the Japanese government’s recent move to issue a dissolution order against a religious corporation, instructing relevant ministries to review similar measures. This is because, in March, a Japanese court ordered the dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (the Unification Church) following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, citing excessive donation pressure placed on believers.
However, political strategist Jo Gwi-dong argues that President Lee’s remarks are “not solely about the Unification Church, but are heavily driven by political calculation.” Jo contends that the President intends to create a political frame that “the People Power Party is an unhealthy political group closely tied to far-right Protestant forces.” He also suggests this approach is influenced by Lee’s previous political success in confronting religious groups.
The News Pairing podcast of JoongAng Plus examines these issues with strategist Jo, exploring the relationship between religion and politics.
Q: What is the background behind the President’s remarks about ‘dissolving religious groups that intervene in politics’?
Directly, it relates to the Unification Church scandal. The administration is likely to continue highlighting issues of illegal political donations by the Unification Church.
But it doesn’t stop there. Pastor Son Hyeon-bo of the World Vision Church in Busan is currently detained over his involvement in manipulating a superintendent election. Likewise, the political involvement of far-right Protestant denominations—and their connections to People Power Party politicians—could become targets of further government action.
This is not only about investigations; it is an attempt to attach a political label:
“That party is an unhealthy political force entangled with far-right evangelical groups.”
Furthermore, Lee Jae-myung is a politician who previously gained political advantage by confronting religion. Contrary to the conventional belief that politicians lose support when clashing with religious groups, Lee benefited from doing so. In 2020, as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, he personally visited the Shincheonji main church during the early COVID-19 outbreak, positioning himself as a leader willing to confront religious organizations for public safety. That image strengthened his political brand.
From his perspective, he may believe that “fighting back against certain religious groups does not harm me politically.”
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[Submission text]
1. Related topic:
Separation of church and state, religious extremism
2. Context:
The political analysts say the ultimate target of Lee Jae-Myung’s war against religion meddling into politics is not Moonies. Many say the ultimate aim is to dismantle far-right evangelical networks such as pastor Chun Gwang-hun and pastor Son Hyeon-Bo. Latter one is already in jail for election interference and the minions of the former were rounded for participating in Jan 19 riots which they stormed a local district courthouse.
Korean Far-right Evangelicals radicalized into extreme violence as they lost young people to Buddhism and Catholicism because Protestant churches were too controlling and exploitative toward their members. So, they are losing believers, power and wealth in alarming rate. To stop the exodus of believers, they colluded with the PPP of Yoon Suk-Yoel, Shamans and Unification Church to hold onto its power. This madness led to far-right riots (aka Jan 19 riot and Charlie Kirk riots ) be committing by evangelical groups and formation of alliance with MAGA movement.
They now believe Donald Trump is the savior who would bring “second foundation war” to wipe out “decadent” Korean democracy and massacre “leftists” with the might of US military. They believe Trump would establish right-wing military dictatorship in Korea for them.
According to analysts, President Lee Jae-Myung believes that the destruction of this religious fanaticism and dismantling of their networks is the crucial factor in countering the rising tide of global fascism.