[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon refuted on the 25th the claims made by some supporters of President Moon Jae-in linking Shincheonji and the Saenuri Party (currently the United Future Party), stating, "Moon supporters seem to be engaging once again in the propaganda that 'Saenuri = Shincheonji,' but there is no relation between Shincheonji and Saenuri."
In a post on his Facebook that day, former professor Jin said, "Shincheonji is close to a religious group formed when a faction within the NL (National Liberation) activist movement lost its political goals midway and turned to culture and spirit. It is a totalitarian culture. Taking children and making them perform praise dances in front of the leader is exactly the same as what is done in North Korea," he said.
He added, "The proselytizing method of Shincheonji is astonishingly similar to that of the old illegal activist groups," and said, "Good-hearted seniors naturally cannot know that they are part of the pro-Ju Party faction, but isn't it exactly the same as Shincheonji's proselytizing method?"
He continued, "'Transferring mountains,' where 'harvesters' are sent in to take over other churches, is also the same method used by NL illegal organizations to take over legal mass organizations," and explained, "When Shincheonji infiltrates, churches split into two, and in the past, the Democratic Labor Party was entirely taken over by the NL faction and had to create the 'Progressive New Party.'"
He further stated, "In other words, the cult once merged with the NL activist faction and grew explosively thanks to armed support," and claimed, "The reason why quarantine authorities are struggling is because Shincheonji's church management closely resembles the organizational management and protection of illegal political forces, unlike normal churches."
Finally, he said, "The reason followers do not want to reveal their identities is because Shincheonji is designated as a heresy in Korean Christianity," and added, "Therefore, they have no choice but to operate quietly by brainwashing targets while hiding their identities."
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