Factional Rift Deepens Within Democratic Party Over Shincheonji Investigation Findings
Pro-Lee Jae-myung and pro-Chung Chung-rae factions within the Democratic Party of Korea have taken diametrically opposed stances on the findings of the investigation into allegations of a mass Shincheonji church membership drive. Party leader Kim Min-seok has apologized three times, yet the conflict persists, escalating to the point where a disciplinary petition has been filed against a party member. What do the findings contain, and why can't the rift be bridged?
Supreme Council member Lee Sung-yoon of the pro-Chung faction, after reviewing the findings of the task force (special investigation team) on party member verification at the party secretary-general's office at the National Assembly on the 10th, told reporters, "The report is so lacking in substance that I wonder whether it was fabricated post hoc as a legal alibi to produce such materials after Leader Kim raised suspicions of factionalism and a secret alliance with Shincheonji during the recent party leadership race." Lee had escalated his rhetoric the previous day, comparing the situation to Chun Doo-hwan's coup. Supreme Council member Choi Min-hee wrote on Facebook that "the tips and testimony were flimsy to the point of absurdity."
Rep. Lee Kun-tae asked, "Can it really be said there is no evidence, even though unusual circumstances suggesting Shincheonji members joining the party have been confirmed?" and urged, "Do not shake the party leader any further." Rep. Song Young-gil countered, "The materials clearly document a factionalist trend within Shincheonji — against our party. This was not a political scheme." Rep. Park Beom-kye also said, "Evidence of organized mass membership by Shincheonji has been confirmed." Rep. Song even called for a full-scale survey of all Shincheonji members in the party.
On the 11th, a Democratic Party member identified only as "K" petitioned the party's central ethics tribunal for disciplinary action against Leader Kim, arguing he fomented division within the party through baseless allegations and undermined the fairness of the leadership race.
