Kim Minseok Formally Apologizes for Raising Shincheonji Tripartite Alliance Allegations: "Sorry to All Who Were Hurt and Party Members"

Apologizes publicly after closed-door lawmakers' meeting on Nov. 3
"We will resolve issues through the party's self-purification efforts"

Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, issued a formal apology on Nov. 6 over his allegations during the previous party convention of a secret three-way alliance among anti-Myung faction members, divisive forces and Shincheonji. He had apologized at a closed-door meeting of lawmakers on Nov. 3 and has now apologized publicly.

At a Democratic Party Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that day, Kim said, "I once again apologize to everyone who was hurt in the course of my raising strong concerns and warnings about religious interference in politics during the previous party convention, as well as to party members who love the party." He added, "We will address the issues raised through the party's self-reform efforts and institutional improvements, and focus on party unity and people's livelihoods."

Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, delivers opening remarks at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on Nov. 6, 2026. Photo by Yoon Dongju.

Kim made a surprise apology on Nov. 3, ahead of an internal party briefing on allegations including the organized enrollment of Shincheonji followers. At the closed-door meeting, he reportedly said, "Shincheonji has a presence in the party to some extent," but also noted that "we have not confirmed evidence of a secret three-way alliance." He also said, "No one in the party believes that anyone consciously and deliberately led this," and added, "I am deeply sorry to those who were harmed unintentionally."

However, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae, who ran against Kim in the party convention, and so-called pro-Jeong Supreme Council members Choi Min-hee, Lee Seong-yoon and Han Min-soo raised objections, saying the apology was not public and taking issue with phrases such as "unintentionally." They called on Kim to apologize publicly and take responsibility.

Kim did not apologize publicly at the Supreme Council meeting on Nov. 4, either. He said, however, "The party will pursue self-reform efforts and institutional improvements to ensure that concerns about religious interference in politics within the party are dispelled," adding, "We will devote ourselves to party unity and people's livelihoods." He did not mention the public apology demanded by Jeong and others. Kim's public apology came three days after his apology at the closed-door meeting of lawmakers on Nov. 3.

Meanwhile, referring to the need for comprehensive support related to the establishment of a regional medical school, Kim said, "We will take the lead in addressing medical service gaps in Mokpo and the southwestern region and strengthening the essential public healthcare system." He added, "I once again formally urge you to move quickly so that a hospital on the scale of a tertiary general hospital can be established."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.