JYP Entertainment’s chief producer and singer Park Jin-young has directly addressed past allegations linking him to the Salvation Sect, as well as recent suspicions regarding heretical and cult-like groups.
On the 19th, a video titled "What denomination is Mr. Park Jin-young's church?" running for about one hour and 12 minutes was released on the YouTube channel "First Fruits."
Opening up by saying, "People around you who go to church tried to stop you, didn't they?", Park continued, "You must have heard a lot of words saying it's a strange place or a cult, but from now on, show them this video," as he began his explanation.
He dismissed ties to any specific organization, stating, "Our church is not a church without a lineage; it is a church with a clear foundation," and adding, "There are people from various backgrounds here, such as Catholicism, Presbyterianism, and Shincheonji, but the past history of members does not determine the denomination of the church."
He then explained that his criteria for distinguishing doctrine is none other than "eternal life," teaching that eternal life is attained only through a mysterious and complete faith granted to those who have undergone true repentance.
In the latter half of the lecture, he mentioned their independent doctrinal system, introducing the designation "Gospel faction for the uncircumcised."
When suspicions regarding the Salvation Sect arose in 2018 following media reports, Park strongly refuted them, stating that it was merely a Bible study session held at a location rented with his own money. Furthermore, during a broadcast appearance in 2020, he stated that it was simply a gathering he started with friends after visiting Jerusalem and had no relation to any organization or church.
Netizens who came across the video have shown a split response, with reactions ranging from "So it's not orthodox Christianity" to "What's the problem in a country with freedom of religion?"
(Produced by Yoon Sung-sik | Video editing by Kihyun | Image source: Captured from the YouTube channel "First Fruits" | Production: Digital News Department)
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