The Doalnara Restoration Society was established in South Korea in 1980 in accordance with the teachings of Teacher Suk Sun.[1]
Type | Non-profit organization |
---|---|
Purpose | Advocacy, education |
Headquarters | Korea |
Region served | Worldwide (as of late 2021 in nine countries) |
Website | www |
Doalnara (which means "Stone Country" in Korean) refers to a society of people with similar goals, whose characters are firm and whose hearts are unchanging as stone.[2] Doalnara developed 10 organic farms in Korea; and there are also Doalnara branches outside of Korea, in the United States, Japan, China, the Philippines, Kenya, Brazil, and more.[3]
Additionally, as a religious organization, it is named the Ten Commandments Stone National Assembly and is a newly emerging religious group. Many members of the Ten Commandments Stone National Assembly live in religious communities in rural areas. In South Korea, the Protestant community considers doalnara to be a heretical group.[4]
History
editPark Myung-ho (real name: Park Kwang-kyu) was born on October 1, 1943, in Boryeong, South Korea. His early religious experiences began during middle school when he attended church with his Adventist uncle, seeking healing. However, after leaving the church due to headaches, Park studied religious doctrines independently and later became a missionary at an orphanage.[5]
In 1980, Park began writing his book This is Eternal Life and resigned from his missionary role in November of that year. The following year, in 1981, he laid the foundation for the Elijah Gospel Missionary Institute with his followers. By 1982, he started personal gatherings, and in 1984, he formally founded the Elijah Gospel Mission. In 1994, Park renamed the group to the Han Nong Recovery Association, promoting self-sufficient collective farming. During this time, Park claimed that North Korea would invade the South, leading all members to relocate to rural villages as a refuge, marking the transition into a reclusive religious community.[5]
At its peak, around 1,200 followers lived in nine villages in Uljin, where Park initiated a collective farming project. However, the community faced a significant change as many followers relocated to Brazil in the early 2000s, causing a shift in focus. The Brazilian branch of the group has been accused of exploiting members for unpaid labor, and the community became increasingly closed off, with members working under strict conditions on farms.[citation needed]
On July 2, 2000, through a sermon titled "When the Holy Spirit Comes Upon Me," Park introduced a new ideology called the "Harlot's Cross," which claimed that a new Jesus Christ would be born in unity with himself.[6]
Despite these developments, the community presents itself as an organic farming organization, enforcing strict membership rules, including financial contributions.
Major Activities
edit- Approved as an eco-certification body (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, No. 2) (2002)
- First in Korea to be approved as an organic produce certification body for overseas importers (National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service)
- Joined the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) (2003)
- Supplied all organic wheat flour to Kyrgyzstan (2004-2009)
- Qualified 4 inspectors for international organic certification (US IOIA) (2004-2005)
- Operated and achieved results at the Uljin World Eco-Farming Expo Organic Pavilion (2005)
- Designated as an international organic certification body by IFOAM (2006)
- Signed MOU with the representative office of Mongolian agricultural reform (2008)
- Emphasized implementation of Brazil's overseas agricultural development project (2008-present)
- Participated in the "Protecting Korea" event in Daegu (food security and safety) (2013)
- Conducted the "Protecting Korea" 1 million signature campaign (2014)[7]
Beliefs
editDoalnara's principles are based on lessons by Teacher Suk Sun, whose teachings include:
- First: When you trace back to the origins and root of humanity, we all came from the same parents and are one family. This is not just a sentiment or theory.
- Second: All of humanity's countless troubles and problems originate from our hearts. Eliminating selfishness in the heart will change the earth into a happier world.
- Third: The true happiness humanity seeks is fulfilled when our household becomes a “mini-heaven”. Not when we "go to" heaven.
- We are the remnant who stand firmly on the rock of Christ, having the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus.
- There is no God in Christianity. All denominations were created by the devil.
- The prophet Elijah, foretold by the prophets, has come to Korea in the form of Malachi.
- The path to heaven is not a narrow path but a golden road.
- They teach the believers that they too can become gods.
- They teach that there is no need for a mediator.
- The Holy Spirit clearly stated that at the time of judgment, even those who do not know theology but served God among the Gentiles will not perish. Even if they do not know Jesus or the Bible, if they leave the secular world and enter the natural world, deeply communing with God and resembling His image and likeness, they will become immortal beings and ascend to heaven. Those who ascend in this way will receive special supplementary education from Jesus at the river of life.
- They claim that Jesus is a defeated general, and Park Myung-ho is the "Redeemer of Humanity." They assert that Park Myung-ho is the final judge, who will resurrect the dead and grant eternal life. If resurrecting billions of people causes the Earth to become overcrowded, they claim he will create ten or even a hundred more Earths so that everyone can enjoy eternal life.
- They assert that there are only three sons whom God Himself directly brought forth on this Earth: the first being Adam in the Garden of Eden, the second being Jesus 2,000 years ago, and the third being Park Myung-ho as God's last son. They claim that God confessed, "You are not the son of man, but My Son," and declared, "I have brought forth this last son as the one who will complete and perfect the great mission of the redemption of humanity and the universe."
The Decalogue
editDoalnara keeps the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, but the commandments are simplified into an easier-to-understand sentence: “With your heart, love your Heavenly Real Parents who begot you, and do not fight with your brethren but live happily.” Doalnara communities do not have or support the use of alcohol, tobacco, violence, verbal and physical abuse, agricultural chemicals, chemical additives, and the like.
Doalnara members observe the Sabbath, from Friday evening to Saturday evening, in accordance with the fourth commandment.[9]
New Agriculture: Respecting the Land
editAll Doalnara regions throughout the world adhere to agricultural practices that value the soil and seek to understand nature (instead of using conventional agricultural practices which has a propensity to focus on convenience and economics). Instead of using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and/or herbicides, Doalnara only uses organic farming methods with environmental restoration as its highest priority. As a result, all products grown by Doalnara are free from agricultural chemicals.[10]
Doalnara members eat foods grown from unharmed and unsprayed soil. Besides sharing and consuming fresh foods, by research and development, Doalnara also uses its produce to make various health food products.
Doalnara organizations
edit- Doalnara Hannong Educational Center is a place to learn Doalnara lessons, sustainable farming practices, natural diet, and restorative medicine and treatments.
- Doalnara Trade and GB Root is responsible for “Project Guarding Korea” and other overseas agricultural projects.
- Doalnara Certified Organic Korea certifies farms and facilities according to national and international standards as South Korea's second accredited certification body (CB).
- Doalnara Hannong School of the Arts develops future minds and talent in the areas of music, dance, and visual arts.
- Doalnara Hannong Foods makes products from foods grown organically on Doalnara farmlands.
- Hannong Pharmaceutical researches and develops health and treatment products, including Korea's only registered activated-carbon antidote.
- Hannong Steel manufactures materials and products to build better rural residences.
- “Honoring Your Parents Movement” and “Aid the Koreis Movement” are campaigns in operation to raise awareness to create a more respectful and compassionate world.
- Doalnara Arts Group holds modern and traditional music performances.
Controversy
editThe Child Death Incident at Oasis Farm in Brazil
editIn 2017, it was reported that members of this organization were relocating to a farm in Bahia, Brazil. JTBC also reported human rights violations during the relocation process. In the first trial, doalnara partially won a correction request against JTBC, but in the second trial, JTBC's reports were deemed entirely correct, overturning doalnara's partial victory and deciding in favor of JTBC. This decision was confirmed by the Supreme Court on April 1, 2021.In April 2022, a tragic accident occurred at the doalnara Oasis Farm (Fazenda Doalnara Oasis) in Brazil during septic tank construction, where five Korean children were buried and killed by a collapsing mound of earth.[11][12]
During the time, construction was underway for installing a septic tank. However, children playing near the construction site were caught in a sudden landslide, resulting in a tragic accident. There were no basic safety measures in place to prevent access to the site. In July 2022, Brazilian police indicted a key figure from the Dole Nara Hanon Restoration Society, applying charges under Article 121, Paragraph 3 of the Brazilian Penal Code for involuntary manslaughter. The Brazilian Ministry of Public Labor is also continuing its investigation into potential child labor or neglect. Separately, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics reportedly assessed the overall conditions of the Dole Nara Hanon Restoration Society last month, examining aspects such as education, income levels, and birth and death rates.[13]
The troubling aspect is that the child deaths were not merely accidental. According to JTBC, after the children's funerals, the Doalnara Restoration Society sent a Telegram message to its members, stating, "Through the funeral of the five warriors, we have offered the highest offering to the victors of the universe." Additionally, an audio recording was released in which a farm official claimed, "The sacrifice of our young children has united Doalnara, making us inseparable and stronger with the Lord. Can the media or broadcasters even dare call us a cult?"[14]
Sexual Exploitation
editIn the 2000s, Park Myung-ho promoted the doctrine of the ‘prostitute cross’ as a virtual ‘license to rape’ and went on to sexually exploit female believers ‘for the salvation and prosperity of mankind.’ He also educated children born among believers and those who were children at the time of the evacuation in his own boarding school, calling them ‘doalnara II’. At boarding school, they only focused on learning Park Myung-ho's sermons and only taught math at the basic arithmetic level, and the rest of the time was filled with labor. Children had to eat raw food and if they did not follow strict rules, they had to be beaten to the point where their flesh exploded. This was the same for adults, and the doctrine of ‘no pregnancy’ was applied until Park Myung-ho saw his grandchild, forcing male believers to undergo vasectomy. He effectively sexually exploited both men and women.[15]
References
edit- ^ Mae-il Gyung-jae (Daily Economy) TV: Issues & People (a televised program covering the most important economic issues and people in South Korea)
- ^ Teacher SukSun, "Stone Country," Ten-day Grand Seminar (Wonju, South Korea), 1980.
- ^ Milhorance, Flávia; Prager, Alicia (July 2, 2018). "A South Korean organic food 'paradise' in Brazil". Deutsche Welle.
- ^ "교단결의" [Resolution of the Denomination]. Modern Religion Monthly. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ a b "탐욕인가 희생인가 - 창기십자가의 비밀 -" [Greed or Sacrifice - The Secret of the Harlot's Cross]. SBS 그것이 알고싶. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Jung, Yoon Seok (3 November 2009). "박명호 교주, "네 씨를 내가 퍼뜨리리라"" [Leader Park Myung-ho: "I Will Spread Your Seed"]. NEWS&JOY. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "돌나라 한농은?". DOALNARA TRADE. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "엘리야복음선교원" [Elijah Gospel Mission]. New Heaven Blog. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ The Holy Bible, New King James Version; Copyright © 1982. Gen. 2:2-3; Exo. 20:8-11, KJV
- ^ Active IFOAM and ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation status. Refer to Certification Bodies on IOAS; ioas.org
- ^ 서울지방법원 2018가합39754, 서울고등법원 2020나2005318, 대법원 2020다298693
- ^ Bae, Joon Woo (6 May 2022). "사고 난 '돌나라 오아시스'…이단에 신도 성범죄 의혹" [Accident at 'doalnara Oasis'... Cult Faces Allegations of Sexual Crimes Against Followers]. SBS News. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Jo, Min Gi (5 October 2022). "돌나라한농복구회 어린이 5명 사망 사건이 봉천예물?" [Children's Deaths at doalnara Hanon Restoration Society Referred to as 'Heavenly Offering']. Modern Religion Monthly. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ Jang, Yoon Woo (5 September 2022). "韓어린이 5명 사망 '봉천 예물'…브라질 농장에 무슨 일?" [5 Korean Children Dead in 'Heavenly Offering'—What Happened at the Brazilian Farm?]. NoCut News. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ Hong, Se Young (23 April 2023). "'강간 면허증' 뭔데…남녀 안 가리는 성착취 '돌나라' (블랙2)[TV종합]" [What is a ‘rape license’? Sexual exploitation for both men and women, ‘doalnara’ (Black 2) [TV Summary]]. Sports DongA. Retrieved 16 July 2024.