The Presbyterian Church of Korea, also known as Yejang Tonghap (Korean: 예장통합) or just Tonghap, is a mainline Protestant denomination based in South Korea; it currently has the second largest membership of any Presbyterian denomination in the world.[3] It is affiliated with its daughter denomination, the Korean Presbyterian Church in America (KPCA) of the United States, which adopted the "Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad" as its new name in 2009.
Presbyterianism in Korea was reconstructed after World War II in 1947. The church adopted the name the Reformed Church in Korea. In the 1950s the church suffered tensions because the issues of theology, ecumenism and worship. In 1959 the Presbyterian Church of Korea broke into two equal sections, with Tonghap separating from The General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea. In 1984 the church celebrated the 100th anniversary of Presbyterianism in Korea. The church is an ecumenical denomination.[4] Membership is about 2.1 million and has 6,000 congregations in 56 presbyteries in 2004.[5]
The Korean Presbyterian Church split for the third time (1951, 1953, and 1959) when the church divided for and against Park Hyung-
Ryong (박형룡 朴亨龍, 1897 ~ 1978), president of the Presbyterian Seminary Society of the General Assembly. The anti-Park party is called 대한예수교장로회(통합)'Tonghap' (the united body) and the pro-Park party is called 대한예수교장로회(합동)'Hapdong' (the union body).
The divisions from all three splits during the 50s still exist. The divisions from the third split between Tonghap and Hapdong respectively are still the largest Presbyterian dominations in South Korea .[9]
Controversies
Controversy over the law banning hereditary succession in churches
In September 2024, former constitutional chairpersons of the denomination's General Assembly sparked controversy by issuing a statement requesting the removal of Article 28, Section 6 of Part 2 of the Constitution, commonly known as the "Anti-Succession Law." Their main argument was that the law limits the autonomy of individual churches in appointing their pastors.[10] However, at the 109th General Assembly, the motion to abolish the 'Anti-Hereditary Succession Law' was rejected, confirming that the majority of the delegates opposed the privatization of churches through succession.[11]
Restrictions on media coverage of general assembly meetings
The Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap)'s 109th General Assembly, held from September 24 to 26, 2024, at Changwon Yanggok Church, has reportedly restricted access to the main meeting hall for media outlets, excluding denominational publications. While it remains unclear whether this restriction is related to allegations of the General Assembly president's alleged affair or the controversy surrounding Article 28 of the church constitution on succession, the move to limit press freedom has heightened public speculation.[12]
At the thanksgiving service for the inauguration of Rev. Kim Young-geol (Pohang Dongbu Church) as the 109th Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK, Tonghap), controversy has arisen after it was revealed that Rep. Lee Sang-hwi (Pohang City, Nam-gu, Ulleung County) from the People Power Party, who had previously appeared as a regular panelist on 'Cheonji TV,' a YouTube channel associated with Shincheonji, delivered a congratulatory message.[13]
^Park, Dong Hyun (8 June 2019). "한국장로교회 교세 통계(예장통합/합동)" [Statistics on the Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK) Membership (TongHap/HapDong)]. PE News. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
^Kim, In Soo (2008). "Towards Peace and Reconciliation between South and North Korean Churches: Contextual Analysis of the Two Churches (Ch9)". Peace and Reconciliation : In Search of Shared Identity. Farnham: Ashgate Pub. p. 137. ISBN9780754664611.
^Park, In Jae (9 September 2024). "예장통합 총회 전직 헌법위원장들, "세습금지법 삭제 요청한다"" [Former Constitutional Chairpersons of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) General Assembly: "We Request the Removal of the Anti-Succession Law"]. Amen News. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
^"'세습금지법 폐기' 청원건 총대 64.7% 반대로 부결" [The petition to abolish the ‘Anti-Hereditary Succession Law’ was rejected, with 64.7% of the delegates voting against it.]. Amen News (in Korean). 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
^Park, In Jae (10 September 2024). "예장통합총회, 언론사들의 총회 회의 취재 제한 조치로 논란" [Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap) General Assembly Faces Controversy Over Media Restrictions]. Amen News (in Korean). Retrieved 11 September 2024.
^"예장통합, 총회장 취임감사예배에 신천지 유튜브 출연자 축사 논란" [Controversy Surrounds Presbyterian Church of Korea's Inauguration Service as Shincheonji YouTuber Delivers Congratulatory Speech]. Amen News (in Korean). 7 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
