Editorial: Democratic Party Leader's Shincheonji Cover-Up, Police Inaction
The Chosun Ilbo · The Chosunilbo ·
Editorial: Democratic Party Leaders Shincheonji Cover-Up, Police Inaction Reports of 20,000-30,000 Shincheonji Followers in Party Contrast Polices Prior Probe
Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok said on the 5th regarding the "allegations of Shincheonji followers joining the party," "Even if a full disclosure approach had been taken, there would have been bigger and more diverse problems." Two days ago at a party meeting, he apologized for attacking Jung Chung-rae, a rival candidate during the August 17 party convention, with claims of "anti-party, factionalism, and a secret alliance with Shincheonji," stating, "There was no evidence." He then blocked the release of an internal investigation report on the actual conditions of Shincheonji followers joining the party.
The stated reason was to prevent party division, and the party leadership framed it as a decisive action. However, Kim’s remarks instead heightened curiosity about the party task force (TF)’s investigation results. His comment that "there would have been bigger problems" was perceived as a threat to the dissenting pro-Cheonggye faction, implying, "It won’t be good for either side if we disclose it."
It is hard to deny that Kim sought political gain by involving Shincheonji in the "three-party alliance theory" during the party convention. Kim himself admitted to spreading false information, but it is questionable whether such an apology suffices. Didn’t the Democratic Party itself condemn former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s election lies as "an election crime that mocked the people’s choice"?
Read the full story at The Chosun Ilbo · All coverage of this story