Heavy-Handed Raid on Sacred Sites Condemned

Editorial in South Korean daily: Aggressive and insensitive investigators making investigation appear as veritable religious persecution in raid on temple regarded as holy by millions 

See also Korean Bribery Scandal: Media Clears Federation

See also Raids Blur Line Between Justice and Politics

See also Raids as Political Spectacle and Media Trials

See also Scholar Sounds Alarm: State Raiding the Sacred

See also Religious Liberty Under Fire in South Korea

See also Religious Freedom: 330 Faith Leaders Speak Up

See also Yonhap: Repeated Allegations Create Public Bias

On 23^rd July 2025, the South Korean daily The Segye Ilbo published a compelling editorial headlined “Excessive Investigation Undermining Religious Values: The Search and Seizure at the Family Federation”.

The paper voices concern over what it calls an excessive and potentially unconstitutional search and seizure at the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (previously the Unification Church) by a special prosecutor’s team. The search, conducted on 18^th July, was part of a wider investigation into alleged state interference and election meddling involving political figures such as

• former First Lady Kim Keon-hee (김건희),
• businessman, political broker, and journalist Myung Tae-gyun (명태균),
• shamanistic religious leader Geonjin Beopsa – real name: Jeon Seong-bae (전성배).

While accountability and justice are essential pillars of a democratic society, the editorial raises an urgent and valid question: at what point does an investigation cross the line into religious persecution?

The editorial underscores that even in cases involving national-level political scandals, investigators must operate within the bounds of law and constitutional rights – most importantly, the right to religious freedom. The Family Federation claims that its headquarters, Cheonwon Temple in Gapyeong – regarded as a sacred site by millions of followers worldwide – was subjected to an aggressive and insensitive raid. If these allegations are accurate, the investigators’ actions do not merely represent procedural overreach; they risk severely damaging public trust in the very institutions meant to uphold justice.

A particularly alarming aspect, as highlighted by Segye Ilbo, is the reported behavior of some investigators who allegedly handled sacred religious artifacts with disrespect – actions such as kicking or carelessly touching these items. For any religious community, such behavior is not only offensive but deeply traumatic. These acts, if true, go beyond poor judgment – they represent a direct affront to the sanctity of a global faith tradition.

The editorial wisely avoids the pitfall of defending religious organizations unconditionally. It acknowledges that no institution – religious or otherwise – should be beyond the reach of the law. The Family Federation itself has stated its willingness to cooperate fully with the authorities. But cooperation must be met with fair treatment. Investigations based on flimsy evidence or partisan motives undermine both justice and democratic integrity. As Segye Ilbo points out, initiating sweeping searches on the basis of circumstantial evidence alone opens the door to stigma, and possibly irreparable harm, for the religious organization and its followers.

The editorial in the Korean daily claims this is not just a domestic issue. The Family Federation is an international religious body with a presence in more than 200 countries. Its followers look to South Korea as the origin of their faith. Since its founding over 70 years ago, the Federation has worked closely with world leaders to promote peace, humanitarian work, and Korean peninsula stability. The Family Federation has also contributed to enhancing South Korea’s global reputation. Any investigation that disregards this context risks being interpreted – especially abroad – as state-sponsored religious intolerance. According to the editorial, this is a diplomatic issue as much as it is a legal one.

Criticism of the special prosecutor’s conduct has already emerged from both ruling and opposition political factions, signaling that concerns over fairness and proportionality are not limited to religious circles.

Segye Ilbo rightly draws parallels to past incidents in Korean history where religious groups became scapegoats during periods of social or political unrest. These historical wounds remain unhealed, and repeating such mistakes in today’s legal climate could fracture trust between the state and civil society even further.

In conclusion, the editorial published by Segye Ilbo is not a blanket defense of any religious organization. Rather, it is a thoughtful, principled appeal for balance – recognizing the importance of legal accountability while insisting on the equal importance of religious liberty and dignity. In a pluralistic democracy, the rule of law must be enforced, but never at the cost of fundamental freedoms. Upholding those freedoms, especially in moments of political tension, is what truly defines the maturity of a just society.

See also Korean Bribery Scandal: Media Clears Federation

See also Raids Blur Line Between Justice and Politics

See also Raids as Political Spectacle and Media Trials

See also Scholar Sounds Alarm: State Raiding the Sacred

See also Religious Liberty Under Fire in South Korea

See also Religious Freedom: 330 Faith Leaders Speak Up

See also Yonhap: Repeated Allegations Create Public Bias

Text: Knut Holdhus

Featured image above: One of the sacred sites that was raided – Cheon Jeong Temple in Gapyeong, South Korea. Photo: FFWPU

Related to raid on sacred sites: Raids Blur Line Between Justice and Politics

More, related to raid on sacred sites: God and Human Beings

Also related to raid on sacred sites: The Kingdom of Heaven

And also related to raid on sacred sites: True Love

More, related to raid on sacred sites: The Value of the Family

And more, related to raid on sacred sites: God’s ideal

Yet more, related to raid on sacred sites: Essence of God

And more, related to raid on sacred sites: God’s Essence: Harmonious Union of Male/Female

And more, related to raid on sacred sites: The 3 Great Blessings: God’s Divine Plan

And more, related to raid on sacred sites: Our Key Role: Co-Creating Heavenly Parent’s Dream

Still more, related to raid on sacred sites: God’s Sorrow

Yet more, related to raid on sacred sites: Suffering of God

And yet more, related to raid on sacred sites: Family values

Also related to raid on sacred sites: Meaningful Marriage

More, related to raid on sacred sites: Living for Others

More, related to raid on sacred sites: Essential Motherly Part of Messianic Mission

More, related to raid on sacred sites: Family as School of Love

More, related to aggressive investigation in sacred sites: Parents and Children

More, related to aggressive investigation in sacred sites: Teachings Make Great Strides in New Version

And more, related to aggressive investigation in sacred sites: In a Nutshell

Yet more, related to aggressive investigation in sacred sites: Brief about the Teachings

Still more, related to aggressive investigation in sacred sites: Relationships