청 한기총 해산 청원에 "설립허가 취소 검토할 정도의 사법당국 조치 없어"

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon on Calls for Swift Judicial Action: "Judicial Decisions Are the Exclusive Authority of the Judiciary"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House stated regarding the national petition for the dissolution of the Korea Christian Federation (HanKiTong) as a corporation, "There has been no judicial authority action to the extent of considering the cancellation of the establishment permit."

Kang Jeong-su, head of the Blue House Digital Communication Center, explained this on the 25th in response to the national petition urging the dissolution of HanKiTong and the arrest of its representative chairman Jeon Gwang-hoon. This petition gathered participation from about 264,000 people over a month starting December 26 last year. The petitioner requested that if HanKiTong violated the purpose of its corporate establishment and the Constitution, the corporation should be dissolved, and urged prompt judicial action against the representative chairman.

Center head Kang stated, "Even if an organization is approved as a non-profit corporation under civil law by the competent authority, if it conducts business outside its purpose, violates the conditions of establishment approval, or engages in other acts harmful to public interest, it becomes subject to cancellation of establishment approval according to the law," but emphasized that HanKiTong has not yet faced any judicial authority action warranting consideration of cancellation of its establishment permit.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kang referred to the constitutional principle of ‘separation of religion and state,’ explaining, "The state is prohibited from coercing or interfering with the religious activities of individuals and religious organizations," and added, "Even acts based on religious freedom are not recognized without limitation but are protected as rights only within the scope that does not undermine public order."

Furthermore, Kang said, "Regarding the representative chairman of HanKiTong, investigations are underway following accusations of violations of the Act on the Collection and Use of Donations, forgery of private documents, violations of election laws, embezzlement, and other current laws," and added, "Investigative agencies are conducting investigations in compliance with the legal procedures prescribed by the Constitution and laws. Judicial decisions are the exclusive authority of the judiciary, so we ask for your understanding that we cannot respond on this matter." Kang also stated, "The government will continue to uphold the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution and the principle of separation of religion and state."

Meanwhile, HanKiTong, established in 1989, is a federation of Christian denominations and organizations in Korea, with major projects including Korean Christian union activities, inter-Korean unification and North Korea-related measures, social and governmental cooperation, and international joint interests. It is a non-profit corporation approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for religious and other non-profit purposes.