Christian Council of Korea

Overview

The Christian Council of Korea is an interdenominational association of conservative Protestant denominations in South Korea. It is commonly known by its Korean abbreviation, Hangichong. For roughly twenty years after its founding, most of the large Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, and Full Gospel denominations belonged to it. It was therefore regarded, alongside the progressive National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), as one of the bodies representing Korean Protestantism. Since 2011, however, schisms and leadership controversies have led large denominations to withdraw one after another, and the council now consists mainly of smaller denominations.

Founding and History

In the late 1980s, ecumenical activity among Korean churches was led by the National Council of Churches in Korea. In January 1989, senior conservative church leaders who had distanced themselves from that body's reunification movement and social-engagement agenda gathered at the residence of Rev. Han Kyung-chik, where they agreed to establish a new interdenominational body. A general assembly of the founding preparatory committee was held in April of that year, and the CCK was formally launched at its inaugural general assembly in December. It is reported to have been granted status as an incorporated nonprofit association in 1991.

Turmoil began at the January 2011 general assembly, when the confirmation of Gil Ja-yeon as president was rejected. Allegations of vote-buying surfaced around the same time, and conflict intensified over proposed bylaw amendments, such as a rotation system for the presidency. Ultimately, an emergency committee that included the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Baekseok) founded a separate body, the Communion of Churches in Korea (CCIK), in March 2012. In 2013–2014, bylaw amendments permitting presidents to serve consecutive terms, together with decisions lifting heresy designations, provoked further opposition. As a result, the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin), and others also left the CCK. The major denominations subsequently regrouped around the United Christian Churches of Korea (UCCK).

At its regular general assembly on January 30, 2020, the CCK re-elected Rev. Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church as president. In May of that year, the Seoul Central District Court suspended Jeon from his duties, finding serious procedural defects in the assembly. In May 2021, a court ruled that the resolution electing him was void. The CCK then operated under acting leadership for about two years until February 2023, when it elected Rev. Jeong Seo-young as its 28th president.

Principal Activities

• At its founding, the council adopted the goals of "unifying the public voice of Protestantism" and "responding jointly to the problem of heresy." It also stated its intention to correct an emphasis on numerical church growth and a blessing-centered faith (faith excessively focused on seeking blessings).
• In its early years, it conducted social campaigns such as rice-sharing drives, thrift and temperance campaigns, and campaigns promoting love of neighbor and honesty.
• Through its Committee on Heresy Countermeasures, it has handled heresy designations and their revocation.
• It has frequently issued statements taking conservative positions on social and political issues.

Member Denominations

Thirty-six denominations participated at the council's founding. By 2011 the number had grown to 66, and as of January 2019, 77 denominations were listed as members. Since 2012, however, the departure of large denominations has left most member bodies small, and critics note that the council's representativeness has weakened relative to its number of members.

Controversies and Assessment

• Revocation of heresy designations: When the CCK decided to lift heresy designations on certain groups and individuals whose orthodoxy had been disputed, several denominations objected. The denominations that withdrew cited these decisions as reasons for leaving.
• Political involvement: Critics contend that the CCK has given excessive support to particular political factions. The CCK describes such activity as representing the voice of conservative Protestantism.
• Relationship with Rev. Jeon Kwang-hoon: Around 2022, the CCK's executive board received a report from the Committee on Heresy Countermeasures recommending that former president Jeon Kwang-hoon be designated a heretic and expelled. Jeon issued a statement criticizing the move. He maintains that a complaint accusing him of embezzling organizational funds ended without charges.
• Merger discussions: In the 2020s there were discussions about merging with the UCCK. Many observers, however, believe a merger will be difficult because of differences in political orientation and governance.