DP Considers Legal Action Over Shincheonji Intervention Allegations in PPP Presidential Primary

On July 28, the Democratic Party of Korea criticized former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo, who left the People Power Party, for mentioning religious groups such as Shincheonji as a background for former President Yoon Sukyeol's victory in the 2021 People Power Party presidential primary, stating, "The long-rumored close relationship between Yoon Sukyeol and Shincheonji is now being revealed to the public."

Kim Byungki, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th. 2025.7.28 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Kim Byungki, acting party leader and floor leader, addressed the allegations of Shincheonji and other religious groups intervening in the People Power Party's presidential primary during the Supreme Council meeting on the same day. He said, "If former Mayor Hong's revelations and claims are true, the People Power Party cannot be considered a democratic party," and emphasized, "The Democratic Party will take appropriate action."

Supreme Council Member Jeon Hyunhee also stated, "If these suspicions are true, this constitutes an unconstitutional criminal act that directly violates the constitutional principle of separation between religion and politics." She added, "The People Power Party must initiate an internal investigation into the allegations of religious groups intervening in the presidential primary and uncover the truth." Regarding the special prosecutor, Jeon further stated, "I hope the special prosecutor will thoroughly investigate suspicions of intervention by specific religious groups such as Shincheonji and the Unification Church in the People Power Party's presidential primary and work to uncover the full truth."

Chief Spokesperson Park Sanghyuk also wrote on Facebook, "With claims of mass membership of 100,000 Shincheonji members, allegations of 100,000 Jeon Hangil faction members joining to protect Yoon Sukyeol, and the Unification Church scandal, highly abnormal events are occurring. It is questionable whether this is truly a normal political party that upholds constitutional order."