Kim Min-seok Apologizes for Unsubstantiated Shincheonji Alliance Claim Against Rival
Kim Min-seok, leader of South Korea’s Democratic Party, publicly apologized on Sept. 6 for alleging during the party’s leadership race that rival Chung-rae had formed a secret alliance with the Shincheonji religious group, after an internal party investigation found no evidence to support the claim, alphabiz.co.kr reported.
The apology came at a meeting of the party’s Supreme Council in the National Assembly, where Kim said: “In the process of raising strong concerns and warnings about the political intervention of religion during the last party convention, I again offer my apologies to all the members who were hurt and to the party members who love the party.”
Party Investigation Finds No Evidence of the Alleged Alliance
The controversy dates to the Aug. 17 party convention, when Kim, then a candidate for party leader, accused Chung of running a “three-way secret alliance” of anti-Moon, divisionist and Shincheonji forces. After winning the leadership, Kim’s party formed a task force to investigate allegations that Shincheonji members had joined the party en masse, but the probe found no clear evidence that Chung or any specific politician had allied with the religious group.
Kim first acknowledged the findings at a closed meeting of party lawmakers on Sept. 3, admitting no evidence supported the “three-way secret alliance” claim. Two days later, he appeared on the party’s YouTube channel and told viewers, “First, I’m sorry to the party members and also grateful,” adding that raising the Shincheonji issue and the investigation process had both been uncomfortable.
Chung-rae Demands Accountability for the Damage
Chung, the former party leader, sharply criticized the apology as insufficient. “Rather than hiding in a closed lawmakers’ meeting and saying sorry, you must apologize publicly to the wounded party members,” he said, adding that the conduct had brought “insult and confusion to the party and put it in grave danger.”
Chung declared: “As a result, the party members and Chung-rae are innocent, and Kim Min-seok is guilty,” leaving a spark of continued internal conflict. Pro-Chung lawmakers have likewise argued that because the “three-way secret alliance” never existed, no evidence could emerge, and have demanded that Kim take responsibility commensurate with his remarks.