Global Association of Culture and Peace

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The Global Association of Culture and Peace (GACP) among others below are organizations that have been heavily criticized by Korean and Japanese media as 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.[1] However, not all members of these organizations are members of Providence, or even know the organization they are part of is connected with Providence.

Contents

Other front groups involve:

  • 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)
  • Shimjung United
  • Hidden Manna Seekers

According to former members of Providence, the groups serve the purpose "to approach students pretending they represent Bible societies, sports groups or campus dancing clubs" in order to recruit.[1][2] Lawyers have said that this is "fraudulent activity, as they conceal the group's identity in luring members".[2]

The Asahi Shimbun mentions the use of such groups in their Aug. 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. ”

—Asahi Shimbun, 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."[3] The other organisations make similar claims about themselves, often not revealing any connections to Providence or Jung Myung Seok at all.

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 and the Taipei Times respectively.[4][5] 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."[6]

  1. ^ a b Asahi Shimbun editorial: Another problem cult. Retrieved on 2006-12-19.
  2. ^ a b Asahi Shimbun: Cult aimed at elite in 50 universities. Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
  3. ^ GACP founder's statement. Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
  4. ^ The Seoul Times: Foreigners Head to Boot Camp near DMZ. Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
  5. ^ The Taipei Times: Smiling a serious business in South Korea. Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
  6. ^ Peter Daley's letter to the editor. Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
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