Key personnel of Juche faction with connection to Newsnjoy caught operating in the ROK armed forces and punished
It has been confirmed that key personnel of "Beautiful Village Community” (hereafter referred to as the BVC), an organization deeply connected to the pro-National Liberation Front and pro-Juche media outlet Newsnjoy, have been punished after being caught promoting their ideology in the Korean armed forces.
This is an excerpt from Chosunilbo's news story about the incident:
*** TRANSLATION ***
[EXCLUSIVE] 7-8 officers and men pledged their allegiance to Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il
[Chosunilbo | By Kim Hyeong Won, Posted on May 30, 2011 at 03:06 | Edited on May 30, 2011 at 04:11
Around 70 soldiers have been subject to an internal investigation after joining a pro-North Korean online community known as "People's Cyber Command and Services.”
A few of the soldiers may have had their identities stolen and used.
It has been revealed that about 70 active-duty soldiers, including field grade officers, and enlisted men of the ROK(Republic of Korea) armed forces, have joined People's Cyber Command and Services, a pro-North Korean online community. Five to six enlisted soldiers were confirmed to have even written an oath of allegiance to Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un. Two other men who wrote the oath were officers, 1st Lieutenant Kang (age 29) of the ROK Air Force and 2nd Lieutenant Park (age 23) of the ROK Army.
*** END TRANSLATION ***
Chosunilbo's exclusive story published at that time
In 2011, the Chosunilbo published this exclusive story, stating that roughly 70 active duty soldiers, including field grade officers and men of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, joined the "People's Cyber Command and Services," a pro-North Korean online community, and some of them even wrote an oath of allegiance to Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un.
(Refer to: http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/05/30/2011053000209.html);
the article caused a huge stir in Korean society.)
And now, Christian Today (CT) has examined recently obtained data on the BVC and has pieced together the full account of how this case came to light. It is now known that members of the BVC spread North Korean Juche ideology within the ROK armed forces, including even the South Korea-United States Combined Forces Command (CFC). The discovery led to a sweeping investigation into the active-duty soldiers' violation of the National Security Act.
According to our investigations, BVC were key promoters of North Korean Juche ideology in the South Korean armed forces. A subsequent investigation by the authorities further confirmed CT's coverage of the severity of the degree to which Newsnjoy and the BVC's Juche ideology threatened the foundations of the Korean state.
The Defense Security Command (DSC) conducted a raid on a person using the name "Seol" who worked in the CFC for ten years until 2011 and was also a member of the BVC; after the investigation, Mr. Seol was arrested and charged with violation of the National Security Act. Mr. Seol wrote a post on one church's website introducing himself, saying that he met Pastor Choi Chul-ho, head of the BVC, and stating that he had been serving as a military chaplain. Mr. Seol also stated that he participated in BVC activities together with Pastor Choi.
"Kim," a junior grade lieutenant of the ROK Marine Corps, and a member of the BVC, also received punishment for violating the National Security Act in 2011. When the DSC raided Mr. Kim's residence, many seditious books and documents were found. It was discovered that Mr. Kim, together with soldiers from his unit, had started a group that praised North Korea.
An ex-moderator of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong) commented on this by pointing out, "Although they did not live in the BVC, they were supporters of the North during their active duty; they propagated pro-North Korean ideology even in closed places like the military; although whether or not Mr. Seol and Mr. Kim are members of the BVC was not verified, their involvement was highly suspected; all these demonstrate how deeply pro-North Korean thinking was embedded in them and how following North Korea is rooted in the minds of BVC members."
It is clear from these incidents that BVC members propagate North Korean Juche ideology, not just in their village, but even beyond. Many churches will likely demand a large-scale investigation into this problem, to eradicate Juche ideology. CT is currently receiving lists of church youth groups, mission organizations, churches, and people who have participated in Newsnjoy's Christian Youth Academy or have completed their courses.
One church leader, who has long campaigned for human rights in North Korea, stated, "Worshiping Kim Il-sung's Juche ideology, which eradicates Christianity and destroys churches, is a serious act of apostasy. This is a horrifying manipulation of Christianity, in which people influenced by such an ideology infiltrate churches, pretending to operate as an evangelical media organization. If Newsnjoy cannot swiftly clarify their connection to the BVC as well as their position on the North Korean regime and Juche ideology, then they might as well acknowledge that they are a Juche fifth column that has been planted within Christianity."
Related Articles:
- Newsnjoy Faces Controversy Over ‘Cell Organization Planted by Juche Faction in the Christian Community’
- The former director of NewsNjoy openly came out as “NL” and the current director “unchurched Christian”
- Are Newsnjoy-related organizations Christian, or followers of the “Supreme Leader”?
- Christian Today’s reporting on Newsnjoy declared “valid,” legal case against Christian Today dismissed by prosecutor
