Christian political party draws criticism

By Kim Tae-jong

A group of Christians held a ceremony to launch a conservative political party Tuesday and announced a plan to field candidates to run in parliamentary elections next year.

But their plan is drawing criticism from Christian communities as well as non-Christians who believe religion and politics should be separate.

The controversial move to form the first Christian political party has been led by religious leaders including Jeon Gwang-hoon, pastor at Sarangjeil Presbyterian Church, and former pastor Kim Choong-lib.

“I think it’s totally wrong to say religion and politics should be separated,” Kim said at the ceremony. “Historically, the U.S. was founded on the basis of puritanical ideology. And the separation here was forced during Japanese colonial rule in Korea and during the dictatorship regimes that were concerned about religious movements against them.”

Christianity is the most required value to prevent the country and churches from collapsing in the face of various problems, he added. “That’s why we need a political party to pursue the value together and help the country and churches prosper.”

They named the party the “Christian Liberal Democratic Party.” Kim was elected as head of the party. “We should not leave Korea’s politics as it is. We will secure multiple parliamentary seats next year,” Kim said.

But many are skeptical of the plan, arguing religion should be separate from politics.

The Future Patrol Forum, a civic group, said a Christian political party will be a serious threat to the religious community as well as the country.

“It can give people the impression that churches are interested in politics just because they want to wield their power and it only damages the reputation of churches here,” the group said in a statement.

Lee Man-yeol, an honorary professor of Sookmyung Womens University, said, “Most people won’t agree to the establishment of a Christian political party. Christians don’t have to take part in politics. If the Christian political party makes a mistake or ends up in a failure, it will be a disgrace to God.” He also noted previous failures in forming a Christian party in 2004 and 2008, saying these showed that such attempts to get support from Christian communities will never succeed.

The new party is also ridiculed by many people, especially due to the radical ideas of some of its extremely conservative supporters.

When pastor Jeon drew serious criticism for saying the new party will push forward a plan to put people with less than five children behind bars, as part of measures to increase the nation’s low birthrate.

“Then, Abraham and Isaac should’ve been put in prison,” Jin Joong-kwon, a popular culture critique, wrote on his Twitter account, ridiculing Jeon’s remark by saying even followers of Jesus had less than five children.

Cho Yong-gi, emeritus pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, has also denied his involvement. Previously, Jeon and other people had said Cho and other pastors from major churches would join them in forming the new party.