Scholar Sounds Alarm: State Raiding the Sacred

Korean professor rings alarm bells as she defends sanctity of sacred spaces: Special prosecutor’s overreach must not become a witch hunt 

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 Heavy-Handed Raid on Sacred Sites Condemned

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

In a special contribution to the South Korean daily the Segye Ilbo on 22^nd July 2025, Professor Kim Min-ji (김민지), President of the Korean Association for Peace and Religion and professor at Sun Moon University, raises urgent concerns about the increasing involvement of special prosecutors in South Korea’s religious sphere. Her article, titled “The Special Prosecutor’s Overreach Must Not Become a Witch Hunt”, is both a warning and a call for the preservation of constitutional values, especially the cherished principle of religious freedom. Kim argues that recent investigations by prosecutors – particularly high-profile raids targeting religious institutions and leaders – risk undermining democratic norms and potentially dragging the nation back into an era of politically motivated scapegoating.

At the heart of Kim’s critique is the assertion that investigations targeting the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly known as the Unification Church), Yoido Full Gospel Church, Far East Broadcasting Company, and prominent Christian figures like Kim Jang-hwan (김장환) [See editor’s note 1 below] and Lee Young-hoon (이영훈 – Senior Pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church since 2008) [See editor’s note 2 below] reflect an alarming trend. She warns that state power is being exercised in a way that disregards both the symbolic sanctity of religious spaces and the fundamental rights of religious communities. According to Kim Min-ji, these developments may not stem solely from a pursuit of justice but could be influenced by political incentives to demonstrate results or manipulate public sentiment.

A Caution Against Politicized Justice

Kim Min-ji makes it clear that she does not oppose lawful investigations. On the contrary, she affirms that no one – religious institutions included – should be above the law. What she finds troubling, however, is the apparent imbalance in the authorities’ approach: the decision to conduct large-scale, high-visibility raids on religious groups appears to be based more on their symbolic and public value than on clearly substantiated criminal evidence. This, she argues, creates a perception that religion is being unfairly targeted because it lacks the institutional power or media influence that political or business entities often possess.

The comparison to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus [See editor’s note 3 below] during the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly poignant. That incident, Kim recalls, demonstrated how quickly public opinion can be swayed into demonizing a minority religious group, resulting in disproportionate legal responses and long-term reputational harm. She views the current situation as a dangerous echo of that precedent, one that could lead to further erosion of civil liberties and deepen divisions in South Korean society.

Preserving the Sanctity of Religion

Professor Kim also emphasizes the broader cultural and spiritual implications of these investigations. Religious sites are not merely physical locations – they are sacred to their communities, often viewed as houses of God and spaces of reflection, prayer, and fellowship. Raiding such sites without compelling and transparent cause, she argues, not only humiliates individuals but disrespects entire faith communities and the values they represent.

She advocates for investigative restraint, suggesting that written requests, interviews, or voluntary cooperation should be the first course of action when dealing with religious institutions. Only when there is clear and credible evidence of wrongdoing, she maintains, should authorities consider more forceful measures like raids. Even then, those actions must be conducted with sensitivity, upholding the dignity of religious leaders and respecting the role their institutions play in society.

Democracy and the Separation of Powers

The article’s deeper message is rooted in the foundational principles of democracy: the rule of law, freedom of conscience, and the separation of church and state. Kim warns that if political power is allowed to infringe upon religious autonomy, even in the name of law enforcement, the country risks slipping into authoritarian patterns.

She references theologian Martin Marty’s insight that religion and politics must serve as mutual checks on one another – remaining in productive tension rather than falling into alignment or opposition.

In doing so, Kim draws attention to the dual dangers of religion being either co-opted by political forces or crushed under them. She acknowledges that religion must not become overly politicized or partisan. At the same time, she stresses that political power must not treat religion as an instrument to be manipulated or as an easy target for public appeasement.

A Plea for Balance and Respect

Ultimately, Professor Kim Min-ji’s article is a heartfelt appeal for balance, dignity, and constitutional integrity. While she does not call for impunity or suggest that religious institutions are beyond scrutiny, she insists that investigations must be grounded in fairness, transparency, and restraint. She urges the special prosecutor’s office – and by extension, the broader political and legal establishment – to reflect on whether their actions risk repeating the errors of the past, where the law was used not as a tool of justice but as a weapon of persecution.

By framing her argument around the ethical responsibilities of both religion and the state, Kim offers not only a critique of current events but a vision for a healthier democratic society. Her message resonates especially in a time of growing polarization and institutional distrust, reminding us that the strength of a democracy lies not just in its laws, but in how it treats its most vulnerable and symbolic communities.

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 Heavy-Handed Raid on Sacred Sites Condemned

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 below: Old fire alarm bells in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2009. Photo: Aubrey Dale / Wikimedia Commons. License: CC ASA 2.0 Gen

[Editor’s note 1: Kim Jang‑hwan serves as the Chairman of the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC), a major Christian missionary broadcaster in South Korea. He is widely recognized as one of the country’s most prominent evangelical leaders, with considerable influence within Protestant media and church networks. On 18^th July 2025, special prosecutors conducting an investigation into alleged improper lobbying around the death of Marine corporal Chae carried out searches and seizures at the offices of FEBC, Kim’s personal office, and other locations associated with him. Although Kim was not a formal suspect – instead designated a reference person – the raid was described as “deeply regrettable,” particularly by church organizations and unions, due to its symbolic intrusion into a religious institution.

His experience supports the central argument of this article’s author: that religious leaders – particularly those without strong political or corporate protections – are vulnerable to being swept up in high-visibility probes meant more for public effect than impartial justice. The raid on FEBC underlines her concern that investigative actions may be disproportionately directed at religious communities, risking reputational harm and violating core freedoms.]

[Editor’s note 2: Lee Young‑hoon is a prominent religious figure whose church and personal offices were searched on 18^th July 2025, illustrating the writer’s broader argument that investigative overreach has gravely affected religious communities. Even though Rev. Lee was not a suspect, the symbolic impact of the raid, he argues, caused reputational damage to both himself and millions of followers – exactly the kind of scenario Professor Kim urges prosecutors to avoid. His experience underscores her concern that religious spaces and leaders can become collateral in politically charged investigations intended for public effect.]

[Editor’s note 3: 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.]

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