Joint Investigation Unit: 'No Systematic HQ-Level Coercion Found Regarding Shincheonji Joining Democratic Party'

The joint prosecution-police investigation unit looking into church-state collusion allegations has been found to have secured testimony suggesting that an official from the Shincheonji church instructed followers around four months ago to join not only the People Power Party, but also the Democratic Party of Korea.

The joint investigation unit stated that around March, while investigating a former Shincheonji member who left the church, it obtained testimony stating, "Around the end of 2022, an official from the Simon Tribe told followers to join the People Power Party, and when followers showed reluctance, told them to join the Democratic Party as well."

However, the joint investigation unit explained, "Regarding the Democratic Party, it has not been confirmed that party membership was systematically coerced at the General Assembly (headquarters) level."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.