Double Standard in Religion-Politics Probe?

Double standard? Seoul editorial warns against selective justice and calls for investigators to apply the same standard to all parties in probe into alleged religious lobbying

A growing political controversy in South Korea is raising questions about whether investigations into alleged links between religious organizations and political parties are being conducted impartially. An editorial published by the daily Seoul Shinmun (서울신문) on 29^th July argues that investigators have pursued allegations involving opposition politicians aggressively while showing far less urgency when similar claims concern the governing Democratic Party.

The debate centers on the work of a Joint Investigation Headquarters (합동수사본부), a task force made up of prosecutors and police officers. The body was established to examine allegations that major religious organizations sought to influence politics through lobbying, financial contributions, or organized party membership. Two religious movements have received particular attention: the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – in Korea generally referred to as Unificationism (통일교) – and Shincheonji Church of Jesus [See editor’s note below]. Both have faced accusations that some of their members or officials attempted to build political influence, although the specific allegations differ from case to case.

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According to Seoul Shinmun, one of South Korea’s oldest newspapers, the concern is not simply whether these allegations are true, but whether investigators are applying the same standards regardless of which political party may be affected.

The newspaper notes that investigators reportedly obtained testimony four months earlier from a former Shincheonji [See editor’s note below] member who claimed that a youth leader within the movement had encouraged members to join not only the conservative People Power Party but also the liberal Democratic Party. While investigators are said to have secured this statement, the editorial claims they did not follow up by thoroughly examining possible Democratic Party involvement.

This alleged lack of action contrasts sharply with the task force’s earlier handling of the People Power Party. In February, investigators searched the party’s headquarters as part of an investigation into claims that Shincheonji [See editor’s note below] members had joined the party in an organized manner. Despite strong political objections, authorities obtained party membership records and later indicted Shincheonji [See editor’s note below] Chairman Lee Man-hee (이만희) and others on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act and obstruction of business.

The editorial argues that such energetic action toward the opposition creates an unavoidable perception of unfairness if comparable allegations involving the governing party are not investigated with equal determination.

The newspaper also recalls another controversial decision involving the Family Federation. In April, investigators decided not to refer Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo (전재수) for prosecution over allegations that he had received money or other benefits from the Family Federation. Authorities explained that the statute of limitations had expired and that the available evidence was insufficient. Although that decision itself may have been legally justified, Seoul Shinmun suggests that the latest questions surrounding the Shincheonji [See editor’s note below] investigation contribute to a broader impression of inconsistent enforcement.

At the center of the editorial is the argument that investigators have not adequately explained why testimony obtained months earlier concerning the Democratic Party apparently remained dormant. Even though authorities have reportedly opened a separate investigation more recently, the newspaper maintains that this does not answer the central question of why no meaningful follow-up occurred after the original testimony was secured.

To understand the political background, it is important to know that South Korea has spent several years debating how alleged ties between religious organizations and politicians should be investigated. Lawmakers originally discussed appointing a special prosecutor to examine claims involving both the Family Federation and Shincheonji [See editor’s note below]. However, political parties could not reach agreement over the scope of such an investigation – particularly whether Shincheonji should be included. As negotiations stalled, the government instead established the current Joint Investigation Headquarters to examine allegations involving religious influence on politics.

The editorial contends that the task force therefore carries a particularly important responsibility. Rather than focusing on one religious organization or one political party, it is expected to examine all credible allegations of improper relationships between religious groups and political figures. These could include accusations of political lobbying, the provision of money or gifts to public officials, or efforts to influence elections by encouraging members to join particular political parties.

The issue has also begun affecting politics within the Democratic Party itself. Ahead of the party’s leadership election scheduled for 17^th August, leading candidate and former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (김민석) publicly questioned why no special investigation into Shincheonji [See editor’s note below] had ever materialized. His remarks criticized the previous party leadership and highlighted growing internal disagreements over how the controversy has been handled.

In its conclusion, Seoul Shinmun argues that public confidence in the investigation depends on investigators demonstrating complete political neutrality. Whether allegations concern the Family Federation, Shincheonji [See editor’s note below], the governing Democratic Party, or the opposition People Power Party, the newspaper maintains that the same investigative standards should apply. Only an investigation conducted without political exceptions, the editorial concludes, can avoid accusations that justice is being administered selectively rather than impartially.

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Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Calls for equal investigation. Illustration: ChatGPT, 29^th July 2026.

[Editor’s note: Shincheonji, officially known as Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, is a new religious movement founded in South Korea in 1984 by Lee Man-hee, who claims to be the promised pastor mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Revelation.

Shincheonji teaches that the Book of Revelation is being fulfilled through its church and that Lee Man-hee has received divine revelation to interpret it. He teaches that South Korea is the location where the prophecies of the Book of Revelation are actively playing out in real-time, making it the epicenter of the final harvest. Shincheonji focuses on filling the literal 144,000 slots of the 12 Tribes mentioned in Revelation. Once this number of truly sealed, flawless believers is completed, they believe they will rule as kings and priests over the rest of humanity.]

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