(C) La Razon

SEOUL — President Lee Jae-myung on Monday took a firm stance against controversial religious groups, including the Unification Church and Shincheonji, labeling their long-standing societal harm as "too significant to be left unaddressed."

During a luncheon at the Blue House with leaders from South Korea’s seven major religious denominations—including Buddhism, Protestantism, and Catholicism—President Lee echoed concerns regarding the "serious damage" caused by what were described as "pseudo-religions."

The President’s remarks follow a series of directives aimed at examining the legal grounds for dissolving religious organizations. Last December, Lee instructed the Minister of Government Legislation to review the possibility of issuing dissolution orders for religious foundations that systematically intervene in politics or violate constitutional values.

"Any corporate entity, whether a private or public foundation, must be dissolved if it engages in activities that violate the Constitution and laws," Lee reiterated during a Cabinet meeting on January 9.

Religious Leaders Call for Accountability The religious leaders present at the luncheon urged the government to take a decisive stand against the collusion between politics and religion. They emphasized that the public would support the dissolution of groups that inflict harm on the nation and its citizens.

"The assets of these problematic religious foundations should be considered for the relief of victims harmed by their activities," the religious leaders suggested, according to Blue House spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.

Venerable Jin-woo, the president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and co-chair of the Korea Council of Religious Leaders, highlighted the importance of "mental security" alongside national security. "While the government takes responsibility for the foundation of life through policy, the religious community must take responsibility for the people's peace of mind," he said.

Combatting Hatred and Division The meeting also touched upon broader social issues, including the rise of hatred and xenophobia. President Lee expressed his commitment to steering South Korea toward a society of harmony and forgiveness, despite admitting the challenges of national integration.

Religious leaders praised Lee’s recent efforts to address anti-Chinese sentiment and hate speech, warning that xenophobia against immigrants could become a breeding ground for extremism. "The proposal to sever ties with hatred is one that many citizens will support," the leaders remarked.

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