On December 24, Shincheonji held a rally with 25,000 of its believers near Sejong Cultural Center on Sejong-daero in Jongno-gu, Seoul. (The number is the police estimate.) In addition, Shincheonji had planned to hold a prior publicity event titled “To Talk About the Beautiful World,” on the same day at Gwanghwamun Plaza. But Seoul City cancelled its permission for plaza use on December 21, due to the potential for physical conflict, because National Solidarity of Shincheonji Victims (representative: Hong Yeon-ho) had announced its plan to hold a counter-rally.
On this cold, rainy winter day, Shincheonji believers wearing rain ponchos filled the streets and sidewalks as they protested against Seoul City for its cancellation of the plaza use permission, and against the Christian Council of Korea (CCK). Echoing the rally leader, the participants shouted, “Groundless cancellation of the permit is unfair!” “Shincheonji is the truth!”
Some 20 members of National Solidarity of Shincheonji Victims held their gathering on the other side of the plaza (photo below), in front of the Hyundai Marine and Fire Insurance Headquarters, where they shouted criticisms of Shincheonji: “Shincheonji is a pseudo-religion, a swindlers’ group!”
Shincheonji has attempted numerous times to vaunt its power in public places. On November 19, under the name “Seoul Church Volunteers Group,” it held an education course completion ceremony at Seoul City Hall Plaza; and on September 18, under the name “Neonadeuri,” it carried out a massive event at the main stadium in Hwaseong Sports Town Complex, Gyeonggi-do. The facility use permits for two other events, the one at Gwanghwamun on the 24th, and an earlier one planned for the 10th at Jangchung Arena in Jung-gu, were both cancelled for safety reasons due to the possibility of a clash with Shincheonji victims.
Rev. Shin Hyeon-uk (director, Heretical Groups Victims Counselling Center in Guri, Gyeonggi-do), said, “The reason Shincheonji is holding a series of massive rallies in public places is to show off its power and impress non-Christians, its new communication target. As Shincheonji has adopted a new strategy, and no longer focuses on Christians, church circles also need to respond differently.”
Reporter Gu Jachang (critic@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok
Original Article in Korean:
‘신천지’ 공공장소서 잇단 勢과시… 2만5000명 광화문서 집회: 신도들, 인도·차도 메우고 “신천지가 참 진리다” 등 구호
Related Articles:
1. Massive Rallies by Shincheonji Aim to Disparage and Defame Korean Church
2. Shinchonji Illegally Occupies Peace Plaza and Holds Massive Event
