Global Association of Culture and Peace
Encyclopedia
The Global Association of Culture and Peace (GACP), and other groups listed below are organizations that have been heavily criticized by Korean and Japanese media as a front groups for international fugitive Jung Myung Seok
's controversial Providence
new religious movement. They operate primarily on university campuses for purposes of recruitment for the Providence religion. Not all members of these organizations are members of Providence, or even know the organization they are part of is connected with Providence.
The Asahi Shimbun
mentions the use of such groups in their August 19, 2006 editorial, "Another problem cult":
In contrast to what is said by former members as reported by major Korean and Japanese press, the GACP websites display a statement by the founder, Jung Myung Seok
, which says "GACP was founded upon the idea that people of all races, creeds and cultures can come together in unity and harmony." The other organisations make similar claims about themselves, often not revealing any connections to Providence
or Jung Myung Seok
at all.
KICS and BSM have been reported mostly neutrally in The Seoul Times
and the Taipei Times
respectively. In response to the KICS article, The Seoul Times published a letter to the editor
titled "Your Paper Has Been Used by the JMS Cult", in which critic Peter Daley said KICS "is one of many front groups whose only purpose is to generate tax free income to Jung and to bring followers to his cult."
Jung Myung Seok
Jung Myung-Seok is the founder of an international organization called Providence. He is also known by the names of Joshua Jung, Joshua Lee Jung, Joshua Lee, and JMS....
's controversial Providence
Providence (religion)
Providence is a Christian religious movement most notable for its bible study formerly called the 30 lessons, for the controversies surrounding its founder, and its fast growth...
new religious movement. They operate primarily on university campuses for purposes of recruitment for the Providence religion. Not all members of these organizations are members of Providence, or even know the organization they are part of is connected with Providence.
Other groups
Other Providence front groups include:- International Cultural Exchange (ICE)
- Korean International Cultural Society (KICS)
- Bright Smile Movement (BSM)
- Sky Soccer
- Peace Model (PM)
- Peace Model Korea (PMK)
- World Peace Model
- Peace Model USA (PMUSA)
- International Organization of Culture and Art (IOCA)
- IOCA modeling
- Providence Vision Project (PVP)
- Youth Developer Group (YDG)
- International Culture Interchange Association (ICIA)
- VIA 3
- United Culture and Arts Network (UCAN)
- China Christian Youth Association (CCYA)
- Hidden Manna Seekers
About
According to former members of Providence, the groups "approach students pretending they represent Bible societies, sports groups or campus dancing clubs" in order to recruit. Lawyers have said that this is "fraudulent activity, as they conceal the group's identity in luring members".The Asahi Shimbun
Asahi Shimbun
The is the second most circulated out of the five national newspapers in Japan. Its circulation, which was 7.96 million for its morning edition and 3.1 million for its evening edition as of June 2010, was second behind that of Yomiuri Shimbun...
mentions the use of such groups in their August 19, 2006 editorial, "Another problem cult":
The gimmicks the sect uses to increase its membership are nothing new. At university campuses, the sect's recruiters first approach students under the guise of a sports or cultural circle. After building close personal relationships with these students, the members reveal the religious nature of their group and start indoctrinating them. The favorite targets are serious-minded young people who feel alienated from their families and schools and wish to change their lives.
In contrast to what is said by former members as reported by major Korean and Japanese press, the GACP websites display a statement by the founder, Jung Myung Seok
Jung Myung Seok
Jung Myung-Seok is the founder of an international organization called Providence. He is also known by the names of Joshua Jung, Joshua Lee Jung, Joshua Lee, and JMS....
, which says "GACP was founded upon the idea that people of all races, creeds and cultures can come together in unity and harmony." The other organisations make similar claims about themselves, often not revealing any connections to Providence
Providence (religion)
Providence is a Christian religious movement most notable for its bible study formerly called the 30 lessons, for the controversies surrounding its founder, and its fast growth...
or Jung Myung Seok
Jung Myung Seok
Jung Myung-Seok is the founder of an international organization called Providence. He is also known by the names of Joshua Jung, Joshua Lee Jung, Joshua Lee, and JMS....
at all.
Publicity
One of these organisations, Peace Model, did a 2 minute performance at the inauguration of the new U.N. Secretary General, Ki-Moon Ban, in January 2007.KICS and BSM have been reported mostly neutrally in The Seoul Times
The Seoul Times
The Seoul Times is an online Korean English-language newspaper. Its competitors include The Korea Times, the Korea Herald, and the English edition of the JoongAng Ilbo. The Seoul Times was founded by Joseph Joh on May 1, 2001...
and the Taipei Times
Taipei Times
The Taipei Times is one of the three major English-language newspapers in the Republic of China the other two being the Taiwan News and The China Post...
respectively. In response to the KICS article, The Seoul Times published a letter to the editor
Letter to the editor
A letter to the editor is a letter sent to a publication about issues of concern from its readers. Usually, letters are intended for publication...
titled "Your Paper Has Been Used by the JMS Cult", in which critic Peter Daley said KICS "is one of many front groups whose only purpose is to generate tax free income to Jung and to bring followers to his cult."
Official sites
Critical views
- Apologetics Index - GACP
- Freedom of Mind Center EXODUS - South Korean non-governmental organisation against Jung's religion, formed by former followers of Jung.