Lee says religious organizations that violate laws, Constitution should be dissolved

President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a Cupboard assembly held on the presidential workplace in Seoul on Dec. 9, 2025. (pool picture)

At a Cupboard assembly on Tuesday, President Lee Jae Myung asserted that non secular organizations ought to be dissolved in the event that they “interact in acts violating the Structure and legal guidelines,” stating that the Tradition, Sports activities and Tourism Ministry is empowered to provoke such procedures, although the courts will make the ultimate judgment.

This comment comes every week after his Dec. 2 directions to evaluation authorized measures to dissolve non secular organizations engaged in illegal actions. Lee has now clarified his intent by specifying the related authorities physique for the method. 

Though no particular group was named in the course of the assembly, Lee seems to be referring to the Unification Church, also referred to as the Household Federation for World Peace and Unification. The church is presently beneath investigation by particular counsel Min Joung-kie and his crew, spearheading the prosecution of former first woman Kim Keon-hee for alleged corruption.

In the course of the Cupboard assembly held on the Yongsan presidential workplace in Seoul on Tuesday, Lee requested Cho Gained-cheol, the minister of presidency laws, whether or not he had reviewed measures to dissolve non secular organizations engaged in political interference, comparable to offering unlawful political funds. 

When Cho replied that he had, and submitted a report, Lee responded, “I didn’t obtain it. What was the conclusion?” 

Cho responded, “It’s tough to debate in a public setting.” 

Lee then mentioned, “First, inform me whether or not dissolution is feasible or not. We will talk about different issues later.”

“It’s much less a constitutional challenge than an utility of Article 38 of the Civil Act,” Cho mentioned. “If a spiritual group engages in steady, extreme illegal conduct in an organized method, dissolution turns into attainable.” 

Article 38 of the Civil Act permits a supervisory authority to cancel an entity’s incorporation standing if it deviates from its founding goal or engages in actions dangerous to the general public curiosity.

Lee then requested which authorities physique holds the authority to dissolve such a corporation, although the court docket would make the ultimate judgment on grounds for dissolution. Cho replied, “It lies with the related ministry. For non secular organizations, that’s the Ministry of Tradition, Sports activities and Tourism.” 

Lee then said, “Whether or not [dissolution] is justified could be determined via litigation. Japan appears to petition the court docket for dissolution, however in our case, the competent authority decides.”

“People face sanctions for committing crimes or participating in delinquent acts. Foundations and included associations also needs to be dissolved in the event that they commit delinquent acts that draw public condemnation,” Lee emphasised.

Lee’s remarks on Tuesday appeared to focus on the Unification Church, which faces allegations of offering money and valuables to lawmakers from the Folks Energy Social gathering in addition to Lee’s personal Democratic Social gathering. Notably, Lee repeatedly confirmed that the authority to dissolve non secular organizations lies with the related authorities company, even when the matter might later be disputed in court docket. This implies that precise consideration for dissolution could also be underway.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung cautioned in opposition to deciphering the president’s remarks as pointing to a selected non secular group, as he “didn’t point out a particular faith.” 

An official from the presidential workplace advised the Hankyoreh that this was “not restricted to the Unification Church,” stating that the president “clearly expressed his place that faith shouldn’t be a sanctuary for acts that undermine social order, comparable to political interference.”

By Shin Hyeong-cheol, workers reporter

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