Megachurch Pastor Announces Long-Awaited Resignation as Chairman of Board

David Yonggi Cho, the 75-year-old emeritus pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, the world’s largest megachurch, has announced his resignation as chairman of the board. This role granted him control over all property rights for the church and its related foundation. The decision came after a meeting of the church’s steering committee, where senior pastor Lee Young-hoon abruptly accepted Cho’s retirement. Cho had previously promised to step down as chairman of the board three years ago, with the deadline set for April 14 of this year.

Observers suggest Lee’s swift acceptance of Cho’s resignation was influenced by concerns that the church might face a major crisis if Cho remained beyond his retirement date. The decision appears to be driven by the fear that the privatization of a megachurch could lead to greater repercussions than the succession of its leadership. Cho had previously retired from the position of senior pastor three years ago, handing over that role to Lee. However, he continued to serve as the church’s effective leader through his role as chairman of the board, overseeing the Full Gospel Church Corporation, which manages the church’s property rights and receives 20 percent of contributions from Yoido Full Gospel Church and its affiliated congregations.

Three years ago, Cho met with officials from the Christian Alliance for Church Reform, which was preparing to file accusations against his family members for improprieties. Cho asked them to delay the accusations for three years, promising to exclude his relatives from employment and to retire within a maximum of three years. Over the past year, however, new allegations emerged that Cho and his family were plotting to make the church their private property. These claims, involving Cho’s wife, Hansei University President Kim Sung-hye, and his oldest son, Cho Hee-joon, gained attention after they were criticized in the Kookmin Ilbo newspaper. Kim and others were subsequently accused by the Kookmin Ilbo labor union of improprieties, and the Christian Alliance for Church Reform intensified pressure on Cho to fulfill his pledge.

The situation highlights the complex dynamics within megachurch leadership, where personal and institutional responsibilities often intertwine. The church’s decision to move forward with Cho’s resignation reflects the ongoing challenges of balancing transparency, accountability, and the preservation of institutional integrity. As the church navigates this transition, the focus remains on ensuring that its mission and resources continue to serve the community in accordance with its stated values.

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