Political circles dispute authenticity of 'Park Geun-hye watch'... Democratic Party calls it a "national suspicion"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The controversy surrounding Shincheonji Jesus Church is spreading further in the political sphere. The 'Park Geun-hye watch' worn by Chairman Lee Man-hee at a press conference on the 2nd seems to have ignited the issue.

Kim Jin-tae, a member of the Future United Party, wrote on his Facebook on the 2nd, "The Park Geun-hye watch is silver-plated, not gold-plated like that," adding, "It is suspicious from the start that he wore that watch. Would someone accused of murder by the current administration have a reason to flaunt a friendship with President Park Geun-hye? Rather, wasn't it a message saying, 'Look at me well because I am close to Park Geun-hye and colluding with the opposition'?"

He continued, "At the age of 89, despite the chilly weather, he came out wearing a short-sleeved shirt and exaggerated his arm movements. It seems like a gesture asking people to look at the watch." He added, "Chairman Lee Man-hee should clearly reveal from whom he received this watch. Otherwise, he must take responsibility for attempting a low-level political manipulation against the entire nation."

Hwang Kyo-ik, a columnist who participated in the establishment of the pan-progressive coalition party, also raised the need for an investigation. In a post on Facebook, he said, "Yoon Seok-youl must launch an investigation into this case. The gold-plated Park Geun-hye watch of Lee Man-hee should be confiscated, and those claiming that this gold-plated Park Geun-hye watch is fake should be summoned by the prosecution. All locations related to the watch produced and distributed by Park Geun-hye's Blue House must be searched."

He added, seemingly considering the investigation of former Minister Cho Kuk, "Yoon Seok-youl has conducted dozens of searches regarding the authenticity of a university president's certificate seal, which was 'only' a fake. This case involves the signature and emblem of the president himself. 'Fake expert' Yoon Seok-youl must immediately start an investigation."

Columnist Hwang insists that the authenticity must be determined. "It cannot be concluded that Lee Man-hee's gold-plated Park Geun-hye watch is fake, as Park Geun-hye might have produced and gifted the gold-plated Park Geun-hye watch exclusively for Lee Man-hee."

In response, Lee Jun-seok, a Supreme Council member of the Future United Party, criticized, "Now the 'Tajinyo' logic has appeared," saying, "They throw a fake watch and demand proof that it is not genuine, and if not, they say they cannot trust it. It's like saying, 'There is a public opinion that Mr. Hwang Kyo-ik has lost his mind. Prove that he hasn't lost his mind. If you can't, then he has lost his mind.' This is the 'Tajinyo' logic."

The Democratic Party openly demanded an explanation regarding Shincheonji's involvement in politics. Cho Jung-sik, the Democratic Party's Policy Committee Chair, emphasized at the party's floor meeting that day, "We demand a clear statement regarding the public suspicion of collusion with a specific political party. We make it clear that this is not something to be swept under the rug. If Shincheonji does not cooperate, the government must swiftly proceed with forced measures using administrative power."