단상斷想

The collusion between South Korean conservative politicians and pseudo-religious groups is a phenomenon that has been repeatedly revealed for a long time. Pseudo-religious groups can be attractive partners for the political world in terms of vote consolidation and mobilization power, as believers can systematically support or vote for specific politicians according to the instructions of the cult leader. In fact, ahead of the presidential election, there have been persistent concerns that believers are being mobilized and votes are being cast between some political circles and pseudo-religious groups. Because the votes of these groups can have a decisive influence in elections, conservative political forces tend to attempt to link with them in order to strengthen and maintain their power base.

The Jeon Kwang-hoon Sarang Jeil Church is the clearest example of collusion with the conservative political circle. Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon showed active political moves in the 19th presidential election in 2017, initially supporting Jang Sung-min, the candidate of the National Unity Party, and later attempting blatant political intervention by switching his support to Hong Jun-pyo, the candidate of the Liberty Korea Party. In the process, he was arrested in May 2018 on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and the Political Fund Act by sending group messages supporting Jang Sung-min to his followers. Jeon Kwang-hoon further expanded his political influence in the conservative Christian community by being elected as the 25th President of the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) in 2019. In particular, in the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic situation, he played a pivotal role in anti-government protests by leading the Taegeukgi rally in the Gwanghwamun area despite the Seoul Metropolitan Government's ban on gatherings. He has repeatedly shown his religious influence for political purposes, such as being arrested again for violating the Public Official Election Act by appealing for support for a specific political party at these rallies.

The political influence of Sarang Jeil Church was not limited to mobilizing gatherings. In August 2020, when a mass COVID-19 infection occurred at Sarang Jeil Church, a political controversy amplified when there was a discrepancy between the list of believers submitted by the church and the number estimated by the government. In this process, the conservative political circles showed an attitude of defending the church, openly revealing political solidarity.

In the case of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of Testimony (Shincheonji), it has been involved in politics in a more secretive and organized manner than Jeon Kwang-hoon's Sarang Jeil Church. According to recent media reports, Shincheonji established a nationwide organization called the 'General Assembly Foreign Policy Committee' ahead of the 20th presidential election in 2022 to systematize election intervention. This organization appointed a person in charge for each of the 12 tribes nationwide and systematically carried out activities to join specific political parties and support specific candidates. Of greater note is the allegation that President Yoon Seok-yeol contacted a close aide to Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee when he was a presidential candidate. This suggests that Shincheonji did not simply unilaterally support a specific candidate, but that there may have been a two-way political deal. Shincheonji has a nationwide organized network of believers, giving it the potential to wield considerable influence in elections.

The collusion between South Korean conservative politicians and pseudo-religious groups is not limited to Sarang Jeil Church and Shincheonji. The Unification Church (now the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) has maintained a close relationship with South Korean conservative politicians for a long time. The Unification Church has allied with conservative political forces since the 1960s, advocating anti-communist ideology, and has actively engaged in political lobbying since the days of Reverend Moon Sun-myung. In particular, the Unification Church has exerted influence on the conservative political circles through the operation of media companies and various social group activities. JMS (Jesus Morning Star) also has political ties. JMS, centered on Reverend Jeong Myeong-seok, outwardly advocates a religious group, but internally, suspicions have been continuously raised that it forces specific political orientations on believers and organizes voting mobilization during elections. Several denominations of the Salvation Sect have also shown links with conservative politicians. While advocating doctrines differentiated from existing Christianity, they tend to have a strong conservative tendency politically and systematically mobilize believers to specific candidates or parties during elections.

Korean conservative forces are essentially a group united to protect their vested interests, and they have shown a tendency to use any means necessary to maintain power. Even after social changes and democratization, they have mobilized or controlled the public in various ways, such as using ideological attacks, regionalism, and mobilizing public security organizations to maintain their vested interests. The connection with pseudo-religions can also be understood in this context. As existing means of maintaining power weaken or direct control becomes difficult due to the democratization of society, they try to gather votes and expand political influence by utilizing the mobilization power of organized and closed groups such as pseudo-religions. Pseudo-religious groups demand strong loyalty and collective action from their followers, and they do not hesitate to take political action according to the instructions of their leaders. This connection with such groups brings practical benefits to the political world in terms of securing 'organized votes'.

The organized power of these groups can be felt even more acutely, especially when conservatives are in crisis or when the maintenance of power is uncertain. It can be understood in this context that the conservative political circles, feeling a sense of crisis after the defeat in the 2020 general election, further strengthened their ties with pseudo-religious groups. Ultimately, the underlying intention of the Korean conservative political forces to link with pseudo-religions lies in maintaining power and defending vested interests. They do not hesitate to collude with pseudo-religious groups for practical gains such as organized vote consolidation, securing a loyal support base, and expanding social influence. This is a structural problem that has repeatedly appeared in Korean politics, and is pointed out as a serious harm that threatens the foundation of democracy.

The collusion between pseudo-religious groups and the political sphere goes beyond simply securing votes in elections, distorting rational debate and democratic decision-making processes throughout society. When the characteristics of pseudo-religions, which demand blind faith and absolute obedience to their leaders, extend into the political arena, it directly clashes with democratic values. Therefore, blocking such collusive relationships and establishing a transparent political process is essential for the healthy development of Korean democracy.