Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korea’s Democratic Party leaders clash over Shincheonji election claim
South Korea’s Democratic Party leaders clashed over a Shincheonji election claim at a leadership meeting on November 4.
Kim Min-seok had alleged that Shincheonji, a religious group, was involved in the party’s August leadership election.
The party had said it would present its investigation findings to lawmakers, but the available reports do not give those findings.
Kim apologized to people who were unintentionally harmed by his claim.
Senior members aligned with former party leader Chung Cheong-rae demanded that Kim take political responsibility, while Kim said he would focus on party unity and people’s livelihoods.
The dispute could deepen internal divisions and add pressure to Kim’s leadership.
Democratic Party leaders publicly clashed on Nov. 4 over Kim Min-seok’s claim of a secret Shincheonji-linked alliance during the party convention.
Lee Seong-yun and other leaders aligned with former party leader Chung Cheong-rae called for Kim to apologize publicly and take political responsibility.
Kim said the party would pursue internal efforts and rule changes to address concerns about religious influence in politics, and said he would focus on party unity and public livelihood issues.
The reports differ on the apology: Chosun Ilbo says Kim had apologized to people unintentionally harmed, while Donga Ilbo says he did not make a separate apology at the Nov. 4 meeting.
Lee also called for an investigation into whether the allegation violated the Political Parties Act and for the party task force’s findings to be made public.
- Who
- Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok and senior party official Lee Seong-yun, alongside other leaders aligned with former party leader Chung Cheong-rae.
- What
- Party leaders clashed over Kim’s claim of a secret Shincheonji-linked alliance during the party convention. Critics demanded a public apology and political responsibility.
- When
- Nov. 4, 2026. The dispute followed a closed party lawmakers’ meeting the previous day.
- Where
- At the Democratic Party’s 최고위원회의 (supreme council meeting) in the National Assembly in Seoul.
- Why
- Critics said the unsupported allegation had insulted party members and left distrust and hurt. Kim said the party would work to address concerns about religious involvement in politics.
Lee Seong-yun and leaders aligned with Chung Cheong-rae
Kim Min-seok
Public response
Lee Seong-yun and leaders aligned with Chung Cheong-rae
Lee called for a sincere public apology and responsible conduct. Chosun Ilbo reports that other leaders aligned with Chung also demanded political responsibility.
Kim Min-seok
Kim said the party would pursue internal efforts and institutional improvements to address concerns about religious involvement in politics. The reports differ on whether he had apologized to those harmed.
Allegation and disclosure
Lee Seong-yun and leaders aligned with Chung Cheong-rae
Lee said the allegation had no evidence and called for scrutiny of a possible Political Parties Act violation and public release of the task force’s findings.
Kim Min-seok
Kim said the party would work to resolve concerns about religious influence and focus on party unity and public livelihood issues.
At a closed meeting of party lawmakers, Kim reportedly said there was no evidence for the alleged secret alliance.
Lee demanded a public apology at the party’s supreme council meeting, while Kim said the party would pursue internal efforts and institutional improvements.
- Party leader
- Kim Min-seok
- Critic
- Lee Seong-yun
- Allegation
- A secret alliance involving Shincheonji, anti-Kim forces and factionalists
- Meeting date
- Nov. 4, 2026
- Legal provision raised
- Political Parties Act, Article 52
6 sources
What people are saying
show a sincere public apology and a responsible attitude
The party will pursue internal efforts and institutional improvements so that concerns about religious involvement in politics within the party disappear.
I am deeply sorry to those who were unintentionally harmed.