“Dr David J. Jang Cleared of Suspicion,” concluded Christian Council of Korea Heresy committee

A subcommittee that was assigned by the heresy committee of the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) to investigate whether Dr David J. Jang is heretical or not concluded its investigation and reported their results in the general meeting of the committee on December 21st 2009, clearing him of suspicion. This news was reported by Christian Today Korean Edition (CTKR) on 23rd and a Japanese translation was also published in the same day by the Japan Edition.

Four people, including Pastor S K Choi of General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches (TongHap) and Pastor H T Park of General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches (HapSin), have been opposed to CTKR for a long time. They raised the issue about Dr. Jang and lobbied CCK to form the subcommittee, which was made up of 7 people in Heresy committee to look into the issue. The subcommittee included Pastor Han Myung Guk, former chairman of the CCK heresy committee and one of the vice presidents of Baptist World Alliance. The subcommittee also included Rev. Chun Yill Park, former Executive Secretary of CCK. They are all experts on the study of heresy.

In the general meeting, following the concluding report from subcommittee, Pastor Go Chang-gon, the chairman of the heresy committee, asked attendants if it was OK to conclude the investigation. Pastor Choi and Pastor Park then insisted to continue the investigation at that time. The heresy committee agreed with doing additional investigating.

However, the subcommittee acknowledged that the issue has already resolved. The 7 members of the subcommittee have been researching for 2 months about the issue raised by the Choi party. In the general meeting, they explained that they did enough document research, interview, and summoning of witnesses to recount events in disagreement between both side.

In the last meeting of the subcommittee, held on December 11st, attendees included Dr. Jang and Pastor Cho Tae-young, Executive Secretary of General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches (Hapdong-Bokum) – the denomination in which Dr. Jang was appointed former chairman. On the other side, attendees of Choi party included Pastor Choi, Pastor Park, Pastor Jin Yongsic, Pastor Choi Byoung-gyu, and Mr. Lee Dong-jun, who was summoned as a witness.

Attendees from both sides spent more than five hours in total testifying, explaining and answering the questions about this issue . After that, members of the subcommittee debated for about two hours before voting. In the end, five subcommittee members out of six voted to have Dr. Jang “Cleared of Suspicion,” and the meeting concluded.

Pastor Go Chang-gon, the chairman of the heresy committee, shared his recognition that Dr. Jang is cleared of suspicion with CTKR and explained that the additional study “does not mean that study result has problem, but it is just respecting the request of those who want to study more.”

“It is just study and is not re-investigation,” he said.

Pastor Go warned against distortion, which is expected to be done by some media, and said, ”The agreement with the additional study does not defeat the conclusion of the subcommittee.”

Choi party exploits Korean churches to settle private grudge and uses illegal means to make ‘official’ resolutions

Mr Yamaya has attempted to damage the reputation of Christian Today by referring to resolutions alleging heresy in the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches (TongHap) and the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches (HapSin). There are, however, some facts behind the resolutions which indicate that the Choi party is attempting to make them the official position of the Korean denominations.

The resolution in the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches (TongHap)

Pastor S K Choi, a member of the GAPC (TongHap)’s heresy committee, compiled a report about Christian organisations that are hostile towards him. In his report, Pastor Choi termed such organisations as “heretical” or committing acts of “heresy”. The organisations implicated included Christian Today Korea.

Following the release of the report, the former chair of the heresy committee Pastor Chang-Young Kim issued a letter of protest in which he criticised Pastor Choi’s allegations.

He pointed out four problems with the report:

1. The report was unauthorised

According to Pastor Kim, the report was never adopted by the committee. Instead, the paper was brought before the Annual Assembly of the GAPC (TongHap) under the name of the committee but without any prior agreement from other members of the committee. The report was therefore a reflection of Pastor Choi’s personal opinion rather than an authorised paper.

2. The resolution was submitted by a person without voting rights

Pastor Kim questioned the legality of the resolution submitted by Pastor Choi because he does not have voting rights in the annual assembly of his denomination. That is problematic, according to Pastor Kim, because resolutions must be submitted by an official assembly member rather than simply a member of a special committee.

3. Pastor Choi bears a private grudge

Pastor Choi has attacked Christian Today Korea since it first revealed that he was extorting money from smaller denominations by threatening to brand them heretical unless they paid him – the ‘tritheism’ scandal. One of his primary accusers was Pastor Gang Chung-Oh, whose newspaper Church Union Times was one of the organisations blacklisted in Pastor Choi’s paper. Pastor Kim believes that Pastor Choi only attacked Pastor Gang because he blew the whistle on the extortion.

4. Pastor Choi was expelled from the committee

Pastor Kim also pointed out that Pastor Choi was in fact expelled from the heresy committee as a result of the tritheism scandal and accusations of bribery against him. There has been no official move to reinstate Pastor Choi since then. Yet Pastor Choi continues to act in the name of the committee, disregarding the fact that he is no longer a member.

Pastor Kim concluded in his letter that Pastor Choi made the accusations of heresy because he looks down on the authority of the Assembly and its Chairperson. He said Pastor Choi’s actions were “deliberate, immoral and a vulgar criminal act which deceives God, the denomination’s 7,000 churches, and 1,500 assembly members who altogether represent three million believers across our churches, and which harms specific Christian organisations”.

The resolution in the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches (HapSin)

A resolution was put before the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches (HapSin) by Pastor H T Park. He is a member of Pastor Choi’s party and therefore shares a mutual interest in Pastor Choi’s heresy allegations. After being banished from the heresy committee of the Christian Council of Korea, Pastor Choi and Pastor Park have continued to make numerous accusations of heresy against Christian organisations.

Furthermore, Pastor Park is friendly with a particular media outlet and has used that outlet to post an article by himself denouncing certain organisations or denominations as heretical. In one research paper, Pastor Park said the media was reporting that such organisations were guilty of heretic behaviour. This paper was presented to his denomination, thus attempting to misappropriate his denomination’s assembly for his own personal use. His actions are completely staged.

Yamaya once again begins to agitate through fabrication

CCK dismissed all the members of the gang of four

On January 29th of 2009, all the members of the party of Choi were expelled from the Heresy Committee, Christian Council of Korea (CCK).

Everyone knows that the determinations that were brought up by the party of Choi were not passed or were decided as failed issues by the executive committees and board meeting.

It is a known fact that the decisions brought forth by the party of Choi, was rejected and vetoed by the executive committee and board of directors meeting.

Despite the result and without any fact-finding, Mr. Yamaya once again posted false articles on his blog with the intention to cause agitation.

Mr. Yamaya claims that three Korean organizations took part in the investigation, which was revealed to be a mere act of making, led by the party of Choi.

Furthermore, the existences of the 'Independent Inquiry Committee on Gospel Herald incident', Hong Kong, and the 'Heresy Committee, Northern California Korean Churches Association', USA, are unclear.

Mr. Yamaya, who has been deceived by the media ploy, created by the party of Choi, is still spreading false information.

It is not the first time that Mr. Yamaya has spread the false information, but has continued to lie for 3 years. He continues to lie without ceasing.

The party of Choi is also known as the 'Gang of Four'. A recent remark from Pastor Byun Seung Woo (of Great Faith Church) about the party, quoting a newspaper's CEO, brought much controversy: "there was 'Gang of Four', hunters of heresies, who used CCK as a stage to act like 'religious mafia'."

The word 'Gang of Four' was the name given to a leftist political faction composed of four Chinese Communist party officials according to Wikipedia.

According to a member of the Heresy Committee, CCK, the 'Gang of Four' referred by Pastor Byun consists of Pastor H.T Park, Y.S Jin, B.K Choi and S.K Choi. Despite being part of the Heresy Committee, CCK, for over 10 years, as experts, all members were expelled. They have so far acted as experts in heresy, but now, many are questioning whether they are qualified theologically and morally.

As a matter of fact, in the latest debate with Pastor B. S. Woo, Pastor H.T. Park was revealed to be unqualified for Pastorship due to fabrication of his academic background. This has caused much controversy in the religious circles.

Pastor Choi, responsible for raising the 'tritheism' scandal, investigated by the heresy committee, CCK, on suspicion of possession of property belonging to heresies

Pastor Choi, regarded as the leader among the four, has repeatedly brought on public criticisms in religious circles. He was also suspected as heresy by his own denomination, due to 'tritheism'.

Pastor Choi is currently being investigated by the heresy committee, CCK, on suspicion of possession of property belonging to heresies.

Mr. Yamaya, deceived by the 'Gang of Four', is still spreading false information. He was sued for defamation, and is awaiting prosecution. Mr. Yamaya's speech and behaviour, causing agitation regardless of basic facts, must be looked upon with caution.

Deulsori Times fined three-million-won for slandering founder of Christian Today Korea

Heavy Penalty for spreading rumors about second-coming Christ without evidence - Pastor Sam K. Choi influence conspiracy and suspicion

Seoul Central district public prosecutor's office fined Deulsori Times(issuer Hyo-Gun Jo) summary indictment three-million-won penalty (Case number 2008-88813) for defaming the character of Christian Today Korea's founder Rev. Jae H. Jang by spreading without evidence false rumors that Rev. Jang claims to be the second-coming Christ. The three-million-won fine is one of the heaviest punishments for press.

From May of this year Deulsori Times started printing articles insisting, without any evidence but following the assertion of 'Daniel Or's Committee' which was created by a cult-fabricator, that the founder of Christina Today Korea claims to be the second-coming Christ. 'Daniel Or's Committee' is suspected of using threats to fabricate evidence and bring forth false witnesses. With the article of Deulsori Times as the starting point, for 6 months from then, Deulsori Times and newspapers competing against Christian Today in Korea, Japan, United States and Australia started distorted and false reports about Christian Today and its founder.

During the process of investigation and prosecution, Deulsori Times presented as evidence documents, audios, images and photos of slandering words and claims against the Christian Today founder which came from not only Korea but also from overseas competitor newspapers, but conclusively it was confirmed through investigation and prosecution that those documents were false.

At the beginning of the investigation, Deulsori Times' CEO Hyo-Gun Jo repeatedly emphasized that he has evidence about the heresy of Christian Today and its founder. However when all the presented materials were not approved as valid evidence, he then confessed that "there is no evidence but everyone thinks that way" and showed such speech and behavior that were under common sense.

Especially, during the investigation, Pastor Choi misrepresented The Christian Council of Korea(CCK)'s Heresy Committee as the Heretical Injury Consultation Officer of CCK as he presented a written opinion in November asserting the innocence of Deulsori Times. The background is very noteworthy. Until last year, Deulsori Times has seriously raised an issue of the tritheism of Pastor Choi as heretic. Despite of that, Pastor Choi has been deeply involved with the case of indictment of Deulsori Times and has lost the objectivity and the neutrality as the Heretical Injury Consultation Officer of CCK and has misrepresented CCK’s Korea's Heresy Committee and has tried to partially influence the investigation agency's decision. This is predicted to bring adverse criticism upon him.

The written opinion can be presented only when both suspects consent, so Pastor Choi conspired the fact about an offense that was given as three-million-won as a fine and misrepresented Heresy Committee of CCK. Therefore investigation is requested to see whether Pastor Choi tried to influence the Heresy Committee of CCK to assert the innocence of Deulsori Times by himself getting deeply involved with the this case.

Pastor Choi, last July in Hong Kong after contacting with the one who fabricated the claim that the founder of Christian Today Korea as being heretic, gave evidences that could not be verified in relation to this founder, and has suspicion of carelessly calling the organization heretic. Last September, Pastor Choi initiated a press conference that unilaterally circulated the false witness to the press and falsely testified about the founder of Christian Today. He is being spotted as a ringleader in the slanderous event about the founder.

Deulsori Times that first circulated rumor that the founder of Christian Today Korea claims to be the second-coming Christ in Korea was dealt with a heavy penalty from the prosecution. Accordingly, it will be hard for the media and figures that asserted or reported similar contents as that of Deulsori Times to avoid the punishment from the judicature. Furthermore, it is expected to have big effect in the lawsuit that is now under way with the places that has slandered this organization.


P.S.
In relation to the Deulsori Times prosecution case, the spreading of false rumors about Christian Today affected the business of Christian Today as well as the businesses of figures related to Christian Today. Therefore Christian Today Korea is currently preparing a civil trial of lawsuit of a scale of billion-won for compensation for damage of business.

Attempt to Probe Christian Today Founder Fails

An attempt by Pastor Sam K. Choi and his closest associates to investigate the founder of Christian Today failed as they produced no evidence for the accusation.

A committee of the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) that investigates cults held a general meeting on Nov. 29, 2008, and reviewed a proposal that pushed for an investigation of the newspaper's founder. The proposal was rejected with only seven out of the 18 committee members present voting for a probe.

A majority vote is required to approve a proposal, according to CCK's articles of association.

There are a total of 35 members in the committee.

The proposal was introduced by Hyungtaek Park of Hapshin Presbyterian Church of Korea who is a close associate of Pastor Choi. He was heavily involved with Pastor Choi in making allegations against the founder of Christian Today.

Conspiracy Exposed by Whistle-Blowers ―It all started with competing newspaper’s editorial advisor.

Conspiracy Exposed by Whistle-Blower ―It all started with competing newspaper’s editorial advisor.

Christian Today Japan edition (CTJ) has faced numerous accusations from Christian leaders and ministers in Japan based on rumors that have at their source the editorial advisor of a competing newspaper, Mr. Konda Shoichi.

Evidence sent to CTJ indicates that Mr. Konda has sent false information to Mr. Yamaya that includes fabricated material from anti-Christian sources. There is further evidence that Mr. Konda encouraged Mr. Yamaya to slander evangelical newspapers including CTJ and those evangelical leaders who are supportive of CTJ.

In addition, Mr. Konda contributed his own libelous articles to his newspaper with the express intention of damaging the reputation of CTJ. With almost all of his articles a straightforward copy and paste of the contents of Mr. Yamaya’s blog, Mr. Konda clearly makes little of verifying facts - a must for any credible journalist.

Mr. Konda deliberately fed false information to Mr. Yamaya to use in his blog in order that he could then quote the accusations towards CTJ on Mr. Yamaya’s blog as if he were an authoritative voice. By the initiative of Mr. Konda, he wanted to force his competitor out of Japan’s evangelical Christian market.

Although evangelical Christian media is supposed to serve Christianity, Mr. Konda abused his power in a very malicious way by seizing near total editorial control over whether to publish the libelous articles in his newspaper.

When pressed on the offensive reports in the newspaper against CTJ, a colleague of Mr. Konda even admitted that “That is taken care of by Mr. Konda”. A Japanese pastor, meanwhile, testified that “Mr. Konda is acting as a liaison”. The chairperson of an interdenominational Korean church alliance in Japan alleged that Mr. Yamaya is dispersing false information in conspiracy with Mr. Konda. An internal whistle-blower sent CTJ a number of emails sent around Mr. Konda’s conspiracy group, including one from Mr. Yamaya in which he thanks Mr. Konda for offering up a huge amount of resources. Another email from Mr. Konda berated the CEO of CTJ.

Reports from witnesses and evidence brought to CTJ demonstrate that Mr. Konda has been stirring up trouble behind the scenes.

The following are some of his obstructions toward CTJ.

* Threatened a prospective advertiser in order to force the cancellation of a contract with CTJ
* Harassed an interviewee in order to intimidate them into breaking off relations with CTJ and refusing future requests for interview or comment
* Attempted to influence evangelical media outlets into publicly accusing CTJ of heresy
* Hold closed-door session with conspirators to distribute false information in form of leaflets

A series of articles called “Christian Today: False charges of heresy by Mr. Konda” goes into further detail about the above incidents. The reports have created a sensation among Japanese Christianity.


See related articles published on CTJ:
• Attacking against a Christian pastor –doubt of leading by Mr. Konda (July 19th 2008, CTJ)
• Repeated false report, heresy fabricating Mr. Konda finally came to the front (July 25th 2008, CTJ)
• Shocking Email Leaked –whole picture of conspiracy by Mr. Konda and Mr. Yamaya has been revealed (July 31st 2008, CTJ)

Mr. Yamaya Exploit False Witness from people imposing as Ex-Members of YD

It is revealed that the evidences shown by Mr. Yamaya which he claimed was from Ex-Members indicate contradictory information and is not even able to reveal the existence of the witnesses. It has already been 3 months since Hong Kong Independent Enquiry Committee has made a report of their decision and yet there are still various indications that show the problem of the report.

Till now the Enquiry Committee has claimed to have about 20 witnesses that support the heretical teachings of China YD however within the witness testimonies there are contradictory information. Also it was revealed that the testimony that reported ‘China YD doesn’t have any aspect of heresy’ within the original report is now currently deleted. Also it is unclear whether the 20 witnesses do exist and even if they have belonged to China YD staff members. Also regarding the data protruding as evidence from ex China YD member was shown to include ‘unification church’ or ‘JMS’ information. Also as referred before there are ‘witness’ that exist who are not even China YD member therefore the authenticity of information is really doubtful.

Christiantday Japan Edition reported.

Reporting as if it were official, in fact there’s NO entrustment or fiat of CCK

There was no entrustment or fiat from Christian Council of Korea (CCK) to allow the 3 person to visit Hong Kong. However in fact, the competing newspapers of Christiantoday are trying to report as if it was official displacement acknowledged by CCK and exaggerating the image of current situation about CCK or Christianity in Hong Kong.

Chairman of the CCK Heresy Committee officially noted that “The committee has never made any determination about sending members to Hong Kong. Any discussion took place in the committee about their visit.” He said “That was just a private activity without any authority given by CCK. The 3 people even did not inform me about visiting Hong Kong.”

Christiantoday Japan Edition reported

9. Mr. Yamaya admitted his fabrication but has still not published any apology

(Cite17: part of the blog of Mr. Yamaya named "The Davidian Watcher")

Mr. Yamaya wrote in his English blog “The Davidian Watcher” that on “October XX, 1942, David Jang Jae-Hyung was born in Korea”. This was, however, a false claim. He later admitted to this, and because of this, altered that part. Still, Mr. Yamaya must apologise to CT for spreading false information which he deliberately distorted to imply that CT was heretical.

Mr. Yamaya must apologise for meddling with David Jang’s personal history. What should Mr. Yamaya do now? Although he is writing a daily diary of the judicial trial in order to hide the fact that he manipulated the details of his personal resume, the fact that he did this is obvious.

Up until now, Mr. Yamaya has falsely asserted that “the specific period of 42 years is the core of the heretical doctrine” and has attempted to discredit Christian Today by wrongly accusing the newspaper of heresy. This time, Mr. Yamaya stressed “42 years” to the extent that its being a clear fabrication is incontestable.

Mr. Yamaya’s false claims have spread beyond Japan, and someone started to make a booklet which incorrectly cited 1942 as the year of birth. The following booklet, made in Hong Kong, is one example of the dissemination of fabricated information. Ensuring that facts are correct should be the top priority for any person distributing information booklets. The resources made, however, have taken Mr. Yamaya as their source with absolutely no verification whatsoever.

Moreover, this information has been duplicated by Hong Kong resident Yeung Chi Chung and brought into mainland China, where it has been used to deceive so many Christians. The fact that this false and deliberately fabricated information has been circulated among Christians beyond Japan brings international disgrace upon Japanese Christianity.

(Cite18: A copy of the booklet distributed in Hong Kong)

Mr. Yamaya must accept the blame for this spread of misinformation, as well as the fact that the current situation is the direct result of his mendacious statements and their wider circulation. Nothing less than a public apology for the “1942 – information manipulation” will do from Mr. Yamaya.