The CPAJ (Catholic Priests' Association for Justice) has actively participated in the political affairs since Roh Administration. Rev. Song, Gi-in, godfather of Korea's Liberation Theology and close friend of President Roh took the office of Chairman of Committee for Past History. This position allows any one who takes the office to secular power, which is in violation of Code of Canon Law 285 ¨é.
The political priests claimed that North Korean agent Kim Hyun-hee is sham and fabricated by the military authoritarian government in 2003 during the Roh Administration. This was absolutely false and even after Kim was identified as genuine agent, they persistently kept their assertion as they stage hunger-strike.
When President Lee, Myung-bak was in office, CPAJ priests opposed vehemently against Government projects including Four Major Rivers Project and Cheju Naval Base construction. They performed anti-government struggle through 'street masses for current situation' or homilies on the pulpit. In 2010, Most Rev. Kang, U-il, Chairman of the CBCK(Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea) announced that Korean church decided to oppose against the Four Major Rivers Project.('the Project') But the agenda was not officially listed on CBCK's meeting and it only passed a Sub-committee for Environment. Therefore, it obviously violated the Code of Canon Law 455 ¨ê.
When Nicholas Cardinal Cheong said that the CBCK is not necessarily against the Project in December 2010, CPAJ priests, the militant anti-government faction, protested severely against the Cardinal and committed an unethical deed as they call for Cardinal's resignation. In May, 2012, before the National Assembly election, CPAJ priests and Committee for Justice and Peace of CBCK formed 'Catholic Solidarity' and held a rally to urge to stop the Project. In March, 2012, the Election Management Committee ruled any meeting which is against or for the Project as illegal, because one may influence on the result of the election. They also opposed against the construction of Cheju Naval Base and Korea-US FDA conclusion. Regarding all these issues, CPAJ priests were exactly on the same path with the Democratic Party.
In August, 2013, Rev. Ham, Se-ung, the most vehement hard-liner in CPAJ visited Mr. Kim, Han-gil, chairman of Democratic Party, at his tent for outside struggle. He encouraged Mr. Kim for his outside struggle and said the Presidential election is originally invalid as National Intelligence Service of Korea intervened in the election. During the campaign period of 100 days, some officials of the intelligence institution put comments on internet articles. But, common citizens do not believe that about one hundred and some comments reversed the result of the Presidential election. At last, Rev. Park, Chang-shin of Jeonju diocese called for the resignation of President Park in an address of mass which was held at Susongdong church on November 22nd. He also justified the bombing of North Korea on Yeonpyeong Island three years ago and denied the possibility of Cheonan Ship's wreckage by North Korea. His remarks caused indignation of the nation and brought about furious protests from the faithful and common citizens alike.
In this situation, the Democratic Party is showing the middle of the road attitude regarding Rev. Park's remarks, thus losing confidence and trust among the nation. Why are they unable to say straight words about evil behaviors of pro-Norht Korea priests? The answer is that the Democratic Party itself may be the host body of the CPAJ priests.