Former Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae demanded accountability over claims of a secret Shincheonji-linked alliance, after the party separately confirmed signs that some members of the Shincheonji religious group had joined its ranks — an issue raised during the Aug. 17 national convention.
"If the investigation finds that the claim of a secret alliance of anti-Lee, pro-division Shincheonji forces was false, those responsible must take responsibility," Jung wrote on his Facebook page on the 13th. "Who is anti-Lee, who is a divisionist, who is Shincheonji? Let us uncover every last drop of it."
His comments came after reports that the Democratic Party had completed an internal investigation into the alleged Shincheonji involvement and reported its findings to the party leadership. In a notice issued the same day, the party confirmed that the investigation results had been reported and said the extent of disclosure and follow-up measures were still under discussion.
Choi Min-hee, a supreme council member aligned with Jung, wrote on her Facebook page that she had "received a brief report on the Shincheonji membership issue." She added that she intends "to look into it further at the upcoming supreme council meeting, including asking the official in charge about the specifics and whether the secret alliance existed."
Choi said that during the convention period, when claims surfaced of a "secret alliance of anti-Lee, Shincheonji and pro-division forces" intervening in the race, and one supreme council candidate publicly asked her whether she knew a person named Kwon Hyuk-bu, she had replied: "If anyone presents evidence that I organizationally colluded with Shincheonji to intervene in the convention, I will quit politics."
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok raised the allegation of a mass enrollment of Shincheonji followers as party members in July, while campaigning as a candidate for party leader at the convention. He did not name specific targets, but the remarks were interpreted as aimed at the faction backing Jung, his rival in the race. Jung's camp pushed back at the time, calling it "an allegation without basis" and demanding that evidence be presented.