'Inducing Democratic Party Membership' Shincheonji Senior Official Indicted Without Detention

A senior official from the Shincheonji religious group has been indicted without detention on charges of violating public election laws. The accusation centers on orchestrating the recruitment of dozens of Shincheonji followers into the Democratic Party to support a preliminary candidate for mayor of Goyang ahead of the June 3 local elections.

The investigation, conducted by a joint police and prosecution task force examining alleged collusion between the Tongil Church and Shincheonji, has led to the indictment of Shincheonji's Simon branch theology department head, identified as 'A'. Another individual, 'B', who allegedly requested the party recruitment, has also been indicted. 'B' reportedly approached 'A', promising assistance with Shincheonji's temple issues in Goyang and other local matters in exchange for support for a Democratic Party mayoral candidate during the primaries.

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I will help you resolve issues such as the Shincheonji temple problem in Goyang.

In response to 'B's' request, 'A' is accused of having about 30 followers join the Democratic Party. This incident is part of a larger inquiry into allegations of political-religious collusion. Previously, the task force had secured testimony from a Shincheonji executive stating that branch leaders had instructed followers to join the People Power Party in late 2022, and if they resisted, to join the Democratic Party instead. This executive reportedly oversaw the Goyang area and northwestern Seoul and Gyeonggi Province.

In June, Shincheonji's founder, Lee Man-hee, was indicted for allegedly organizing a mass joining of the People Power Party. The current case further deepens the investigation into the religious group's alleged involvement in political party recruitment and potential collusion with political entities.

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In late 2022, branch leaders told followers to join the People Power Party, and if they resisted, to join the Democratic Party.