June Issue of Shindonga: 32 Pages of Full-Color Coverage on “World Mission Society Church of God” – A Transaction Worth 7 Billion KRW in May and June

[Media Today by Jung Min-kyung and Kang Sung-won]

"The 55th Anniversary of the Establishment of the World Mission Society Church of God: Ushering in the Era of 3 Million Members."

This is the headline of an article in the June issue of the monthly magazine Shindonga. The June issue dedicates 32 pages to coverage of the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG), with its cover featuring a photo of Kim Joo-cheol, the church’s General Assembly Chairman.

According to transaction records obtained by Media Today, the Shindonga publishing department of Dong-A Ilbo received over 1.2 billion KRW in payments from WMSCOG between January and June this year.

Notably, just around the release of the June issue, Shindonga received approximately 780 million KRW. In addition to Shindonga, Dong-A Ilbo’s publishing department also featured an article on WMSCOG in its March 22 "LIVING & ISSUE" section of the Women’s Dong-A magazine. The total amount received by Dong-A Ilbo’s publishing department from WMSCOG between January 3 and June 14 exceeds 1.2 billion KRW.

Excessive Promotion and Growing Concerns

The publication of promotional articles for religious groups like WMSCOG in exchange for monetary gains is not new. However, industry experts have criticized Dong-A Ilbo’s excessive focus on WMSCOG—dedicating 32 full-color pages and accepting such large sums of money—as an example of going too far.

Within religious circles, there is concern about the potential confusion caused by such promotions, particularly for controversial religious groups. Critics argue that such coverage misleads the public into perceiving these groups as legitimate religious organizations.

Shindonga’s 32-Page WMSCOG Feature

Unlike other sections, the pages on WMSCOG in the June issue of Shindonga are all full-color. Of the 32 pages, the first 20 are titled “Mother God: The Source of Salvation and Happiness for Humanity.” The article highlights the rapid growth of WMSCOG, boasting 3 million members in 7,500 churches across 175 countries within 55 years. It also includes details about WMSCOG’s doctrines, such as the belief that “according to Biblical prophecy, the Second Coming Christ is Ahnsahnghong.”

The article also features a 10-page interview with Kim Joo-cheol, the church’s General Assembly Chairman.

Statements from WMSCOG Representatives

A member of the WMSCOG’s public relations team stated on May 26 that “Shindonga reporters came to us directly for coverage. Our rapid growth naturally drew the interest of the media.”

Another representative revealed that the initial agreement with Shindonga was for a 6-8 page feature. However, the magazine proposed expanding the coverage to full color, stating it would help boost sales in bookstores. The representative added that the WMSCOG subsequently purchased not only the magazine but also 50,000–100,000 copies of excerpts produced afterward.

These transactions suggest that WMSCOG collaborates with Dong-A Ilbo’s publishing department to publish promotional articles and then purchases copies in bulk for redistribution.

Criticism from Dong-A Ilbo Insiders

A Dong-A Ilbo staff member criticized the increasing trend of publishing paid promotional articles, stating, “It’s no longer about producing content readers genuinely want but about accepting payments for advertising-like features. The fact that such practices are not considered problematic is even more troubling.”

Another insider linked this trend to the appointment of Executive Director E at the Dong-A Ilbo publishing department. They noted that during E’s tenure, the frequency and scale of transactions with religious organizations like WMSCOG have significantly increased.

Criticism from Religious Experts

Christian leaders have expressed concern about media outlets promoting groups like WMSCOG. Jin Yong-sik, president of the Korean Christian Heresy Counseling Center Association, stated:

“WMSCOG has been labeled a cult by many Christian organizations, including the Korean Christian Council (Hankikyo). When the media portrays such groups as legitimate, it leads to more victims. People who read such promotional articles may become confused about whether the group is a cult or not.”

This controversy sheds light on the ethics of journalism, particularly when it comes to financially motivated partnerships with controversial organizations. Critics emphasize the potential harm caused by legitimizing groups accused of cult-like behavior.