History of Cults and Religious in South Korea

There have been several cases of cults and religious organizations in South Korea that have been accused of engaging in illegal and unethical practices. One of the most well-known cases is that of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" (not affiliated with the mainstream LDS church) or "Shincheonji", which has been labeled as a cult by many former members and religious experts.

Shincheonji was founded in 1984 by Lee Man-hee, who claims to be the "promised pastor" mentioned in the Bible. The group has been accused of using deceptive recruitment tactics, brainwashing members, and engaging in illegal activities such as embezzlement and tax evasion. In 2020, Shincheonji was also linked to a large COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea, which raised further concerns about the group's practices.

Another controversial group in South Korea is the "Grace Road Church", which has been accused of human trafficking and enslavement. The group's leader, Shin Ok-ju, was arrested in 2018 and later convicted of multiple charges related to the abuse of her followers.

Overall, these cases highlight the need for increased oversight and regulation of religious organizations in South Korea to protect individuals from potential abuse and exploitation

Is there any documentary about cults and religious organization?

There have been several documentaries made about cults and religious organizations in South Korea, but one of the most notable is "The Mole: Undercover in North Korea", which aired on the British channel Channel 4 in 2019.

The documentary follows the story of a South Korean pastor named Kim, who goes undercover as a member of a mysterious group called the "World Peace and Unification Sanctuary" (also known as the "Sanctuary Church" or "Rod of Iron Ministries"). The group is led by a man named Hyung-jin Moon, who claims to be the "Second Coming of Christ" and is the son of Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the controversial Unification Church.

Through his undercover investigation, Kim discovers that the Sanctuary Church is stockpiling weapons and preparing for what they believe will be a violent "end times" confrontation with the government. The documentary also explores the group's links to the Unification Church and the broader context of religious extremism in South Korea.

"The Mole" has been praised for its in-depth reporting and investigative journalism, and has shed light on the dangers posed by cults and extremist groups in South Korea. However, the documentary has also been criticized for its sensationalism and for potentially endangering the lives of undercover reporters and members of the group.

Is cults and religious organization still exists in South Korea?

There are still cults and religious organizations in South Korea that are considered to be dangerous or controversial. While some of the more high-profile groups, such as the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" (Shincheonji) and the "Grace Road Church" have been exposed and faced legal consequences, there are still many other groups operating in the country.

Some of these groups are relatively small and have limited influence, while others have large followings and significant resources. Some groups have been accused of using deceptive tactics to recruit members and of engaging in abusive or exploitative practices, while others are simply considered to be outside of mainstream religious beliefs.

It's worth noting that the vast majority of religious organizations in South Korea are peaceful and operate within the law. However, there is still a need for continued vigilance and oversight to prevent the spread of dangerous or harmful groups. The government and civil society organizations in South Korea have taken steps to address the issue, such as strengthening regulations and increasing public awareness of the dangers of cults and extremist groups.