Choi Min-hee apologizes, urges fact-finding into Shincheonji controversy

Choi Min-hee, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized to President Lee Jae-myung and to party members and supporters in a Facebook post on the 15th, while demanding a fact-finding investigation and accountability over the Shincheonji-related controversy.

In her Facebook post, Choi said, "My misremembering and confused remarks caused trouble for the president," adding, "I have also caused distress to party members and supporters. Once again, I offer my deepest apologies." At the same time, she argued that "the controversy over the alleged secret three-way alliance of the Ban (anti-Lee Jae-myung), Bun (factionalism), and Shin (Shincheonji) groups, and my own mistake, are separate matters," and demanded that "the full TF report be made public to establish the facts and verify all points of concern." She added, "The Democratic Party has consistently demanded fact-finding and accountability on every issue," saying "the alleged Ban-Bun-Shin secret alliance must be handled under the same principle."

The controversy arose after reports that Choi, at a closed-door meeting with local party members in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, last month, made remarks suggesting that President Lee Jae-myung had opposed the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The presidential office denied the claim, calling it groundless, and expressed regret.

On the 12th, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok ordered the party's ethics inspection unit to investigate Choi's overall conduct. On the 13th, Choi skipped the public Supreme Council meeting alongside fellow council members Lee Sung-yoon and Han Min-su, and held a press conference at the National Assembly communications office. On the 14th, the Gyeonggi Innovation Conference of the Democratic Party called for Choi's expulsion, issuing a statement in front of the Namyangju district office.