Democratic Party's Supreme Council members clash over whether to disclose Shincheonji investigation findings
Members of the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council were sharply divided over whether to disclose the findings of an investigation into allegations that Shincheonji interfered in the party's affairs. The conflict was laid bare at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. At the meeting, Supreme Council member Lee Sung-yoon of the pro-Chung Chung-rae faction and Supreme Council member Park Sun-won of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction differed over whether to release the results of the probe into allegations of Shincheonji's mass membership drive and interference in the party's leadership convention. The leadership had previously agreed among the council members not to make any announcement, but uncoordinated remarks were exchanged at the day's meeting.
At the meeting, Lee said, "The findings of the investigation into Shincheonji's interference, which sought to divide our party and hurt our members, should be disclosed exactly as they are." He added, "The evidence of the anti-Lee Jae-myung, divisive, secret alliance with Shincheonji should also be made public, and it is time to bring this matter to a close." His logic was that if the interference allegations were true, those involved should be held accountable, and if there was no evidence, those making the false claims should face corresponding responsibility.
Supreme Council member Park Sun-won responded in kind. At the meeting, Park, who heads the party membership overhaul task force, said she would take responsibility for disclosing the investigation findings, and immediately after the meeting told party leader Kim Min-seok, "I will take responsibility and release them." As her remarks had not been coordinated in advance, an additional closed-door meeting was subsequently held.
After the additional closed-door session, chief spokesperson Park Sung-joon told reporters, "My understanding is that the Supreme Council members agreed not to make any announcement regarding Shincheonji," adding, "As for Mr. Lee's pressure, Ms. Park reportedly suggested, 'Since the investigation is already complete, why not disclose it?'" He went on to say, "The Supreme Council will reach a conclusion after taking into account the impact on public opinion and on the party."
The conflict traces back to the party's national convention on August 17. Party leader Kim Min-seok first raised the allegations during the convention, aiming at his rival, former leader Chung Chung-rae, saying, "Breaking the three-way secret alliance of anti-Lee Jae-myung forces, divisiveness, and Shincheonji is the essence of this convention." Even after the new leadership took office, the allegations remained a source of factional strife.
On the 14th, Kim said, "We have confirmed that there was a significant degree of mass membership," and regarding allegations of interference in the party's primary organization, he said, "There are testimonies." Pro-Chung Supreme Council members have demanded that the findings be made public if they exist, but even on this day, disagreement persisted over whether to release them.
