It seems that of all of the religious people in South Korea, Christians are not as influential or respected in society, according to a recent report from Sisa Journal, a Korean news publication. In their recent study, "Who Moves Korea," only 2 out of 10 religious figures chosen as the most influential religious people in South Korea were Christian.
The two Christian leaders who were chosen were Reverend Yong-Ki Cho, from Yoido Full Gospel Church, and Reverend Kyung-Jik Han, from Young Nak Church.
However, in the case of Reverend Cho, his story recently has become more complex as he has become "notorious' for controversies surrounding him, which placed him as 7th on the top 10 list. Reverend Cho had recently been accused of abusing church assets, by which he has been sentenced to two years and six months of imprisonment, and four years of probation.
The only other Christian leader left on the list, Reverend Han, has already passed away. During his lifetime, he served the marginalized and outcast through Young Nak Church, and was influential in public policy, taking steps toward peace with North Korea, and sharing the gospel, and thus became 10th on the list of influential religious leaders. Though his influence was great, he passed away in the year 2000 with only his wheelchair, cane, clothes, and a few practical belongings left to him.
Sisa Journal stated that these results "are in stark contrast to the times when there were up to 5 influential Christian leaders in the top 10 list during the presidency of Myong-Bak Lee." This is a portrayal of how much less influence and recognition Christians have been giving and receiving, respectively, in Korean society in recent times.
Among the other eight who were part of the list included Catholic and Buddhist leaders.
Of note in the list of influential religious leaders aside from the top 10 was the notorious Byung-Uhn Yoo, who was listed as 15th most influential. Yoo was not only part of a religious group that is widely recognized as a cult, but also a part of the sinking of the Sewol Ferry in Korea, which caused much grief and hysteria in the country. Reverend Sam-Hwan Kim from Myung-Sung Church also came in as 11th on the list.
Sisa Journal conducts this survey study about influential religious leaders on an annual basis.
