Prime Minister Kim: "Cults and Heretical Groups Are Social Evils to Be Eradicated... Thorough Investigation into Unification Church and Shincheonji"

Prime Minister Kim Minseok stated on January 13, "Cults and heretical groups are social evils that must be eradicated," and instructed, "Along with thorough joint investigations into groups such as the Unification Church and Shincheonji, all ministries must seek ways to eliminate the harm caused by cults and heretical organizations within their respective areas."

Prime Minister Kim Minseok is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on January 13, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

On this day, presiding over the first Cabinet meeting of the new year at the Government Complex Seoul, Prime Minister Kim specifically targeted cult and heretical organizations, warning, "If left unchecked, this will result in serious national damage." He reiterated the need for eradication, adding, "Collusion between politics and religion has led to corruption and illegal acts that have undermined state affairs, and abroad, various crimes and illegal activities have damaged our national reputation." As President Lee Jaemyung also expressed agreement the previous day with the request from leaders of the seven major religious orders-including Buddhism, Protestantism, and Catholicism-for the dissolution of cults and heretical groups, the government's response is expected to accelerate.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kim announced that starting this year, the second year of the current administration, the scope of Cabinet meeting participants will be expanded to include not only ministers but also the heads of external agencies under each ministry. These external agencies are central administrative bodies under the jurisdiction of ministries but with separate budget and personnel authority, including 19 agencies such as the National Police Agency, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the National Fire Agency, and the National Tax Service. Prime Minister Kim stated, "We will continue to evolve into a true forum of collective intelligence."