"Join the Democratic Party as well"... Joint Investigation Headquarters Secures Testimony from Former Shincheonji Member on Political Collusion
Former Member Testifies: “Told to Join Democratic Party If Refusing People Power Party”
Investigation Underway into Metropolitan Shincheonji Members’ Democratic Party Enrollment for Suspected Election Law Violations
The Joint Investigation Headquarters of the Prosecutors and Police, which is investigating allegations of collusion between the Unification Church and Shincheonji with political parties, has discovered evidence suggesting that a Shincheonji executive encouraged members to join the Democratic Party of Korea. However, it stated that no evidence was found of any systematic coercion to join the Democratic Party at the level of the Shincheonji General Assembly.
Lee Man-hee, Chairman of Shincheonji, who is accused of violating the Political Party Act, is attending an investigation as a suspect at the joint prosecution and police investigation headquarters in Seocho-dong, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
View original imageOn July 28, the Joint Investigation Headquarters released a briefing, announcing that it obtained a statement from a former Shincheonji member who claimed that, "Around the end of 2022, a branch executive demanded that members join the People Power Party, and when members resisted, told them to also join the Democratic Party." The statement was reportedly obtained in March of this year.
Regarding the People Power Party, the Joint Investigation Headquarters explained that systematic coercion was confirmed, citing orders by the Shincheonji General Assembly, quotas for branch-level recruitment, and the collection of membership status. However, for the Democratic Party, it stated that no directives or organized coercion were found at the General Assembly level.
Nonetheless, the Joint Investigation Headquarters confirmed that some Shincheonji members joined the Democratic Party in parts of the Seoul metropolitan area ahead of the 9th nationwide local elections, and is investigating the case on suspicion of violating the Public Official Election Act. It was reported that some individuals involved were recently summoned and questioned about the circumstances of their party membership.
The Joint Investigation Headquarters is also looking into whether Shincheonji attempted to exert political influence by having its members join the Democratic Party in districts facing outstanding issues or civil complaints. It refuted allegations that the investigation neglected statements regarding Democratic Party affiliations, stating such claims are untrue.
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Meanwhile, the Joint Investigation Headquarters indicted Lee Manhee, the head of Shincheonji, on two separate occasions—on June 29 and July 13—for allegedly orchestrating the mass enrollment of over 50,000 members into the People Power Party during major elections from 2021 to 2024. Lee faces charges including violation of the Political Party Act and obstruction of business.
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