The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Thu, January 21, 2021 | 17:01
Religions
Controversial religious group holds int'l peace event in Seoul
Posted : 2014-09-18 17:52
Updated : 2014-09-19 10:43
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
An international peace summit in Seoul, attended by former world leaders, is attracting attention because it is chaired by Lee Man-hee, the leader of a controversial Korean religious group.

Speakers at the World Alliance of Religions Peace Summit (WARP Summit), which opened Wednesday at the 63 Building in Yeouido, include Peruvian Vice President Marisol Espinoza Cruz, former Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and former South African President Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe, according to the official website.

The event has drawn protests because of the involvement of Lee, the leader of the Shinchonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (SCJ), which some describe as a cult.

Founded in 1984 by Lee, SCJ reportedly has over 120,000 followers. It came under scrutiny in 2007, when an investigative television report claimed that followers believe that Lee has eternal life.

The WARP Summit was organized by a group called Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), chaired by Lee; the International Women's Peace Group; the International Peace Youth Group and the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD).

No Cut News, however, reported that the Berlin-based ICD withdrew its involvement in the summit this week.

It has also been reported that young believers abandon schools, jobs and family to join the group. Shincheonji and its followers have claimed such reports are false.

No Cut News reported that protesters, including family members of the followers, gathered Tuesday outside Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul, where an opening ceremony was being held.

According to HWPL, the summit aims to "discuss and share insights on how to achieve world peace" and to create "a platform for dialogue between community leaders on national, cultural, spiritual, and ethnic levels."











 
WooriBank
 
  • Speed skater sues ex-teammate over mental damage following Olympic controversy
  • LG Electronics hints at withdrawing from phone biz
  • 'Learning foreign language is about changing yourself'
  • International students to be included in mandatory health insurance program
  • Academic activist puts kimchi ad in NYT
  • Biracial Korean teacher promotes openness through education
  • Moon replaces foreign minister ahead of Biden inauguration
  • Man gets life sentence for killing girlfriend and her sister
  • Moon names Chung Eui-yong as new foreign minister
  • Ebay to sell Korean online retail platforms
  • K-pop expands from entertainment to activism K-pop expands from entertainment to activism
  • Red Velvet's Irene to make silver screen debut in February Red Velvet's Irene to make silver screen debut in February
  • Actress Park Si-yeon apologizes after getting nabbed for drunk driving Actress Park Si-yeon apologizes after getting nabbed for drunk driving
  • 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' star Oh Jung-se returns with powerful social drama 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' star Oh Jung-se returns with powerful social drama
  • Singer John Park in isolation facility after testing positive for COVID-19 Singer John Park in isolation facility after testing positive for COVID-19
DARKROOM
  • Biden takes office as 46th president [PHOTOS]

    Biden takes office as 46th president [PHOTOS]

  • Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

    Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

  • Second Trump impeachment

    Second Trump impeachment

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright