Jin Joong-kwon: "Shincheonji Looks Like Angels... Some Protestant Sects Are Already Cults"

On the 20th, at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, officials and believers are confronting the police ahead of the quarantine authorities' forced administrative inspection. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] As some members of Sarang Jeil Church have shown uncooperative attitudes by obstructing the quarantine authorities' efforts to secure the list of worship attendees, former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized, saying, "Some parts of Korean Protestantism have already become so-called cults."

On the 21st, Jin posted on his Facebook, stating, "A group that does not communicate. When religion exhibits anti-social behavior, it becomes what is called a 'cult.'"

He added, "Quarantine is science, but because they keep insisting it is political or religious oppression, political-religious fanaticism ends up undermining scientific quarantine measures. These people are worse than Shincheonji. Compared to their recklessness, Shincheonji looks like angels," he pointed out.

He further claimed, "Christian anti-communism is a deep-rooted malady of conservative Protestant denominations. The United Future Party under Hwang Kyo-ahn's leadership played along with these people. We are now paying the price for that."

He continued, "Is it acceptable to endanger the health and lives of their own believers for the sake of the church and pastors' honor? There is no devil other than them," and said, "They must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible severely punished."

Earlier, on the previous day, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with Seoul City and Seongbuk District, launched a forced administrative investigation to secure the list of attendees at Sarang Jeil Church's worship services. The quarantine investigators, who had been confronting church members for about three hours from 5 p.m., entered the church around 8 p.m. but reportedly failed to obtain the list.

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