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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Shincheonji mass joining allegations spark probe into Democratic Party

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Named sources Under investigation
  • An investigation is underway into allegations that members of the Shincheonji religious group collectively joined the Democratic Party during the 2021 local elections.
  • The probe, initiated by a joint investigation team of prosecutors and police, follows claims by a Democratic Party leadership candidate about Shincheonji's alleged interference in the party's internal affairs.
  • The article calls for a thorough investigation by authorities and an internal probe by the Democratic Party to address potential distortions of democracy and protect the party's integrity.

South Korean authorities are investigating allegations that members of the Shincheonji religious group engaged in mass en masse joining of the Democratic Party during the 2021 local elections. The joint investigation team of prosecutors and police reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that some local Shincheonji organizations encouraged their followers to join the main opposition party.

If it is true that Shincheonji forced its followers to join the Democratic Party en masse to expand its political influence, it is a grave crime that distorts democracy.

— Hankyoreh (editorial stance)The article frames the alleged actions as a serious threat to democratic integrity.

This investigation comes amid heightened political tensions, particularly after a Democratic Party leadership candidate, Kim Min-seok, publicly raised suspicions about Shincheonji's alleged interference in the party's upcoming national convention. Kim suggested a "secret alliance" involving anti-Lee Jae-myung factions and Shincheonji, although he has yet to provide specific evidence. Another leadership candidate, Chung Jin-sang, dismissed Kim's claims as baseless and detrimental to the party.

The core of the investigation is to determine whether Shincheonji orchestrated a collective membership drive within the Democratic Party to exert political influence, similar to allegations of mass joining within the People Power Party. If proven true, such actions would represent a significant distortion of democratic processes and a serious crime.

Breaking the secret alliance of the three: anti-Lee Jae-myung, divisionists, and Shincheonji is the essence of this national convention.

— Kim Min-seok (Democratic Party leadership candidate)Kim Min-seok alluded to Shincheonji's involvement in the party's leadership race.

The article urges both the prosecution and the Democratic Party to act decisively. While the prosecution is expected to uncover any legal violations, the party itself must take responsibility for safeguarding its internal democracy. The piece emphasizes that the Democratic Party cannot afford to passively await the investigation's outcome but must proactively conduct its own internal inquiry to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles and prevent external forces from undermining its legitimacy.

This is an act against the party that endangers the party with baseless allegations.

— Chung Jin-sang (Democratic Party leadership candidate)Chung Jin-sang criticized Kim Min-seok's allegations as unfounded and harmful.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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