"Lee Ji-young Instructor Denies Ever Suggesting Youth Group Activities to High School Students" Explains 'Cheonhyo Foundation' Proselytizing Controversy

Social Studies instructor Lee Ji-young from Etoos Education / Photo by YouTube channel 'Lee Ji-young [Leejiyoung Official]' screenshot

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Lee Ji-young, a social studies instructor affiliated with Etoos Education, clarified allegations that she was proselytizing to students by stating, "I have never once suggested youth group activities to high school students as 'extra credit for performance assessments and volunteer work.'"

On the 10th, Lee posted on her YouTube channel community, saying, "(The seminar) was clearly referred to as an 'adult liberal arts seminar,' and it was announced that examinees who had not yet taken the college entrance exam could not participate."

On the same day, Lee opened up, saying, "Since January 2017, I began experiencing serious health issues such as severe depression, eating disorders, weight loss, and insomnia. In April 2018, I faced a life-threatening crisis. Facing astronomical damage claims related to hundreds of billions in annual sales, I declared an indefinite suspension and cessation of lectures. My health and state of mind were devastated at that time."

She continued, "As my health deteriorated and I hovered near death, I was introduced to 'Cheonhyo' and 'Cheongi' for the first time through my sister's recommendation. I began to see unbelievable changes in my health indicators. The more I understood the principles, the more I thought many people should know about these methods."

She added, "From August 2018, after preparation, in April 2019, I changed the corporate name of the company where I am CEO and major shareholder to 'Cheonhyo Co., Ltd.' and added 'Qi training' to the business registration, opening the Cheonhyo Qi Center. Qi circulation is conducted as a one-on-one program by dedicated staff, so it is not a free service. It requires the participant's payment, and refunds for all sessions are freely available."

She further stated, "We have provided free trial coupons to those who wanted to experience it firsthand, and future trial visits are voluntary; there was no coercion to pay after consultation."

Lee Ji-young, a social studies instructor affiliated with Etoos Education, posted a message on her YouTube channel community on the 10th. Photo by YouTube channel 'Lee Ji-young [Leejiyoung Official]' screen capture

Lee said, "To promote 'Cheonhyo ideology and Cheongi,' we established a new religious foundation based on Article 32, Paragraph 1 of the Civil Act and Article 4 of the Regulations on the Establishment and Supervision of Non-Profit Corporations under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Cultural Heritage Administration. I am only a contributor to the foundation's establishment funds, not the founder. Cheonhyo ideology does not regard humans as objects of worship," she emphasized.

Regarding controversies over cults and heresy, she explained, "It was predictable that established religious groups would frame a small, newly founded religion as heretical or a cult to check its growth. The foundation, which started with permission from the Seoul Metropolitan Government in January 2019, has committed no illegal acts," she clarified.

Finally, Lee apologized, saying, "I will now ensure that examinees can focus solely on the college entrance exam. I apologize for causing unnecessary confusion in students' exam preparations due to my personal beliefs, efforts, and immaturity."

Previously, Lee was embroiled in allegations of proselytizing students through the Cheonhyo Foundation.

According to her official website 'LeeJiYoung.com' and blog on the 3rd, she was confirmed to have regularly attended and lectured at seminars and conferences hosted by the Cheonhyo Foundation until recently.

The foundation stated on its website that its purpose is "to perform longevity practices so that humanity can truly show filial piety before heaven." The foundation lists its main projects as overseas pioneering global mission leadership development conferences, domestic and international youth spiritual leadership development seminars and retreats, and the pioneering and growth ministry and research of Cheonhyo Christian spirit both domestically and abroad.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.