Corporation HWPL, Focused Inspection on Illegal Activities Such as Proselytizing Beyond Intended Projects
Lee Man-hee, the president of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), is speaking at a press conference related to the COVID-19 situation held on the 2nd at the Shincheonji Palace of Peace in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] On the 16th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it is conducting an administrative investigation into the corporation Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an affiliated organization of Shincheonji Church of Jesus. A total of 25 personnel, consisting of three teams including officials from Seoul city and autonomous districts, as well as police officers, have been deployed for the investigation.
The city explained that the purpose of the investigation is to determine whether HWPL's overseas activities, disguised as cultural exchange and peace movements, are in fact religious activities of Shincheonji, and whether they have violated the conditions for corporate establishment approval, such as 'conducting business outside the establishment purpose.' According to Article 38 of the Civil Act, local governments may revoke corporate establishment approval if the corporation conducts 'business outside the establishment purpose, violates establishment approval conditions, or engages in other acts harmful to the public interest.'
Earlier, after the COVID-19 crisis alert was raised to the 'serious' level, Seoul has been implementing strong measures against Shincheonji, which has been at the center of public anxiety.
On the 25th of last month, Seoul inspected a total of 263 Shincheonji-related facilities in the city, closed 188 of them, implemented quarantine measures, and banned all Shincheonji gatherings throughout Seoul.
On the 1st of this month, Lee Man-hee, the president of Shincheonji Church, and 12 branch leaders were reported for violating laws by refusing, obstructing, and evading epidemiological investigations. On the 13th, a hearing was held to revoke the corporate status of the Shincheonji religious corporation 'Saehanul Saettang Jeunggeo Jangmak Seongjeon Yesugyo Seon-gyohoe,' with plans to cancel the corporate approval soon.
Separately, on the 29th of last month, the city requested the submission of materials for inspecting HWPL’s business operations along with emergency quarantine and closure measures of the HWPL corporate office. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the city explained that an additional administrative investigation was conducted on this day to promptly secure evidence.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government stated, "Through the administrative investigation, we are reviewing all related materials including corporate status and accounting documents at the HWPL corporate office," and added, "If any illegal activities are found, we will request an investigation, and we also plan to revoke HWPL’s corporate establishment approval."
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