Global Economic Times

[Deep Report] The Black Hand Behind the Mask of Disguise: The Reality of Cult Corporate Entities' Encroachment on Power Across Korean Society: KO YONG-CHUL Reporter / Updated : 2025-12-13 16:32:47

Employing a 'Concealed Identity' Strategy to Wear a Social Facade and Co-opt Political and Business Circles... What is Their Ultimate Goal?

The recent actions of certain religious groups in Korean society have moved beyond mere issues of faith to become serious concerns that threaten social safety nets and political fairness. Specifically, groups that established religious denominations regard as cults or pseudo-religions—such as the Unification Church (Family Federation for World Peace and Unification), Shincheonji (Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony), Jeungsando (Daehan Sarang, Sangsaeng Broadcasting), World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG), Salvation Sect (Good News Mission, etc.), and JMS (Christian Gospel Mission)—are discreetly infiltrating various sectors of society by establishing numerous corporate entities while meticulously concealing their doctrinal identity. They put 'functional' social activities like volunteer work, education, and cultural projects forward to launder their image. At the same time, they employ material enticement and systematic co-option to target politicians, high-ranking public officials, and influential organization leaders, seeking to expand their influence over power.

The movements of these cult entities are part of a meticulously calculated strategy aimed at achieving their ultimate goal of expanding their religious following. The belief is that aligning with power creates a favorable environment for spreading their doctrines throughout society and secures a shield against legal sanctions or social criticism.

Cult Corporate Entities Disguised as Volunteer and Cultural Activities

The cult groups in question establish various social service, cultural exchange, academic research, and even economic activity corporations, entirely stripping away or hiding their religious coloring, to appeal to the general public. In this process, they pursue the dual objectives of achieving an 'image laundering' effect while scouting for new targets for proselytization and securing social credibility.

Diversified Disguised Names: These cults use names that appear to belong to sound civil society organizations or non-profit institutions, such as '○○ Cultural Center,' '○○ Council,' 'Volunteer Corps,' 'Youth Organization,' 'University Club,' or 'Hiking Group.' Recently, the tactic of approaching people via online platforms that reflect social trends, like 당근마켓 (Daangn Market) or the student community Everytime, in the form of hobby groups or small gatherings, has become common.
Misuse of Volunteer Work: Volunteer work is one of the cults' preferred methods of proselytization. WMSCOG (An Sahng Hong Witness Society), for example, has successfully built a positive external image, winning awards such as the U.S. Presidential Award for Volunteer Service and the UK's Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. However, it is difficult to avoid the criticism that these activities are actually used as a foothold for proselytization and as a tool for 'laundering' the group's image.
Meticulous Identity Concealment: Shincheonji disguises itself as an orthodox church by putting up signs like 'Free Bible Seminary' or 'Presbyterian Church of Korea ○○ Church.' JMS has a history of infiltrating the youth through university cheerleading squads and sports clubs. They approach targets without directly revealing religious content, using the pretext of building friendships or fulfilling needs, and then lure them into their doctrinal education centers.

Systematic Material Enticement and Co-option Strategies Targeting the Power Elite

When cult entities seek to expand their social influence and protect their religious following within the established system, the key targets they aim for are politicians and social leaders. They mobilize vast financial resources and organizational power to co-opt them or, at minimum, establish amicable relationships.

Material Support and Special Favors: A significant number of cult groups possess enormous funds accumulated through members' tithes and business activities (in the case of Unification Church affiliates). There is a high probability that these funds are utilized to support politicians' election campaigns, provide donations, or offer various forms of convenience. Cult experts point out that some groups spare no means to disburse large sums of money to recruit social and political leaders.
Display of Organizational Mobilization Power: Cult entities possess the ability to mobilize large numbers of people based on the high loyalty and meticulous organizational structure of their followers. This can serve as an attractive resource for politicians during election season. Beyond simply gathering votes, they seek to invite key figures to their events to show off their strength and secure political influence.
Securing Social Legitimacy: Contact with the power elite plays a decisive role in allowing cult groups to be recognized as 'normal religious organizations' or 'sound social organizations.' The attendance of a politician or high-ranking public official makes it appear as though the organization is gaining social credibility, and it creates a protective shield against potential legal issues or social criticism.

Attempts to 'Leverage Power' for Doctrinal Propagation and Sect Expansion

The ultimate goal of cult groups in co-opting political and key social figures is to lay the groundwork for spreading their doctrines and expanding their religious following.

Evading Regulation and Seeking Special Privileges: Alignment with power can be a channel to weaken social criticism or legal regulations against their proselytization activities. For example, they may attempt to secure favorable positions in permits for constructing religious facilities or holding large-scale rallies in specific areas. Moves to receive public support or special privileges for educational institutions or cultural facilities they operate have also been detected.
Spreading Ideology through Systemic Infiltration: Cult entities have a long-term goal of infiltrating their ideology into society as a whole. They expand their influence in areas such as education, culture, and media to neutralize critical perspectives on cult doctrines and inject a positive image. There is a risk that co-opted politicians or public officials may end up representing or advocating for their positions.
Eschatology and Forced Asset Confiscation: Some cults deify their leader and advocate for end-times prophecies, coercing members into donating their assets. Defectors from WMSCOG testified that they were encouraged to donate their assets to the church based on the doctrine that assets would be useless when the end came. Shocking cases of forced divorce and abortion have also been reported. These vast financial resources are highly likely to be recycled as 'ammunition' for co-opting power.

Vigilance and Discernment: The Essential Attention of Society Members

The methods of proselytization and co-option used by cult entities are becoming increasingly subtle and elaborate over time. Moving beyond simple street evangelism, intelligent approaches utilizing modern social networks and systems are being employed. Therefore, the necessity for individuals, organizations, and the political sphere alike to closely scrutinize the intent of these groups' approaches is growing.

Importance of Identity Verification: When an unfamiliar organization or individual approaches with goodwill, even if they only mention volunteer or cultural activities, efforts must be made to verify the true identity of the group behind them. In particular, the sudden formation of intimacy or material enticement is one of the most certain signs that must be viewed with caution.
Adopting Expert Advice: Cult experts stress the importance of "never attending Bible studies," advising that cults tend to use only fragmented verses from the Bible, avoid deep theological debate, and insist on people visiting their group. Even when approached through clubs or gatherings in universities or general society, it is necessary to closely examine the purpose of their activities and their source of funding.
Responsibility of the Power Elite: Politicians and social leaders have a social responsibility to more strictly verify the background of organizations or individuals who approach them. They must recognize that accepting support from or establishing a relationship with a cult entity, in effect, grants social legitimacy to the cult and ultimately risks creating more victims.
Hidden behind the disguised mask of cult entities are dark intentions to establish their doctrines as mainstream social ideology, deify their leader, and continue unethical acts such as exploiting members' assets. Therefore, societal effort is urgently required to maintain vigilance against their approaches and to discern them based on transparent and objective information.

Conclusion: The Pursuit of Power Behind the Mask, The Social Risk of Cult Entities

The activity patterns of major cult and pseudo-religious groups, including the Unification Church, Shincheonji, Jeungsando, WMSCOG, Salvation Sect, and JMS, are evolving to become increasingly sophisticated and organized. They meticulously conceal their doctrinal identity and infiltrate various parts of society using diverse facades such as numerous non-profit corporations, volunteer organizations, and cultural institutions. This 'concealed identity' strategy is not just for ease of proselytization but is the foundational work for a meticulous approach toward power.

Their ultimate goal goes beyond simple recruitment; it is the expansion of influence over political and social power. Cult entities employ material enticement and systematic co-option targeting politicians, high-ranking public officials, and influential organization leaders. This manifests as legal sponsorship, event collaboration, and the strategic placement of elite followers. Through alignment with power, they aim to create a policy environment favorable to expanding their religious following and establishing a 'shield' against potential future legal and social criticism.

Ultimately, the actions of cult entities have reached a level that threatens social trust and political fairness, in addition to destroying individuals and families with unethical doctrines. The doctrinal danger of these groups, who deify their leader and demand blind loyalty, is the reality hidden behind the mask of public service activities they outwardly promote.

Therefore, civil society and the political sphere must closely examine not the outward goodwill but the hidden intentions and financial sources of cult entities when they approach with concealed identities. Those in power must bear in mind that accepting their support ultimately results in the loss of public trust and the granting of legitimacy to the social harm of cult expansion. It is time for our society to build a healthy social safety net through continuous vigilance and information sharing regarding the cult entities' covert pursuit of power.