ANALYSIS OF THE ARTICLE «Special Prosecutor Seeks 13 Years for Unification Church Leader Hak Ja Han on ‘Religion-Politics Collusion’ Charges»
Manipulative Techniques Used in the Article
1. Use of Legally and Socially Charged Terms Without Critical Examination
The article unequivocally employs the accusation of «religion-politics collusion» (정교유착). In the South Korean context, this formulation is not merely a legal fact but an extremely powerful and negatively charged allegation with historical and political connotations. Critics of such cases argue that this charge is based on an unusually broad interpretation of the law and social prejudices against religious minorities.
2. Demonization Through Association
The prosecution’s case is built on a connection to Ms. Kim Gun-hee, the spouse of the former president. Mentioning this name in the context of a corruption scandal serves as a powerful emotional trigger for the reader, automatically evoking negative associations and allowing guilt to be projected onto the accused without the need to prove a direct link.
3. Use of «Absolute Evil» Rhetoric
The article describes the accused’s actions as «a violation of the spirit of the Constitution,» «undermining representative democracy,» and «unlawful use of state power.» Such categorical and morally loaded language deprives the reader of the opportunity for objective assessment. It presents the case as a struggle between good and evil, rather than as a complex legal dispute.
4. Assertion of a Large-Scale Conspiracy
The text contains a narrative of «collusion with political forces» and «attempts to influence the Republic of Korea.» These formulations create an image of a secret, all-pervasive, and hostile conspiracy, which is a classic technique for demonizing an opponent.
Violations of Journalistic Ethics
1. Lack of Objectivity and Balance
The primary violation is the near-total absence of the defense’s voice. The article presents the prosecution’s allegations as established facts, without providing a platform for rebuttals. This directly contradicts the principle of objectivity, which requires a journalist to give voice to all parties in a conflict.
2. Presentation of Unverified Allegations as Facts
The article fails to clearly distinguish between charges brought and proven facts, which constitutes a serious breach of journalistic ethics. The reader is led to believe that the prosecution’s claims are proven truths.
3. Violation of the Presumption of Innocence
The presentation of the material creates in the reader’s mind an unequivocal impression of Hak Ja Han’s guilt, thereby grossly violating the legal principle of the presumption of innocence (a person is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law).
4. Creation of a Biased Image
The article contributes to the formation of a stereotypical and negative image not only of the accused but of the entire organization. This aligns with a broader trend in Korean media where religious minorities (such as those labeled sosu jonggyo, or «minority religions») are often stigmatized. Even if terms like «cult» or «pseudo-religion» (saibi) are not used legally in the text, their social connotations serve to label and prejudice the group.
Conclusion
The article in Asia Today is not an objective report but a tendentious piece that employs proven manipulative techniques to shape negative public opinion. It violates fundamental principles of journalistic ethics, including objectivity, balance, and the presumption of innocence, by presenting the prosecution’s allegations as proven facts and creating a simplified, demonized image of the accused based on social stereotypes and sensationalist rhetoric. The reader is left without the necessary context, alternative viewpoints, or critical analysis to form an independent judgment.