[Anchor]

Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has apologized for raising allegations during the last national convention regarding the collective party membership enrollment of Shincheonji followers. Lawmaker Jung Chung-rae criticized Kim, saying it has been proven that he himself is innocent while Leader Kim is guilty, and demanded a public apology rather than an apology behind closed doors.

Reporter Han Sung-hee has the story.

[Reporter]

Ahead of the Democratic Party's national convention in August, Leader Kim Min-seok attacked his then-rival, former party leader Jung Chung-rae's camp, saying:

[Kim Min-seok / Leader, Democratic Party of Korea (July 21): "The essence of this national convention is to break the secret tripartite alliance of anti-Myung, divisionism, and Shincheonji...."]

Figures aligned with Jung immediately pushed back, and factional strife eventually led to an internal party investigation to uncover the truth.

Today (November 3), 105 days after raising the allegations, Leader Kim bowed his head in apology at a closed-door general meeting of lawmakers.

[Kim Sung-hoi / Floor Spokesperson, Democratic Party of Korea: The party leader very sincerely stated, "'The investigation found no evidence of a secret tripartite alliance. I would like to extend my deepest apologies to anyone who may have unintentionally suffered harm.'"]

The formal presentation of the investigation findings was also omitted.

[Park Sun-won / Supreme Council Member, Democratic Party of Korea: "There was no report on Shincheonji."]

Lawmaker Jung Chung-rae took direct aim at Leader Kim, asserting that his actions harmed the party and put it in jeopardy.

[Jung Chung-rae / Lawmaker, Democratic Party of Korea: "Instead of hiding in a closed-door general meeting of lawmakers and saying you are sorry, come out in public and make an open apology to party members. As a result, the party members and Jung Chung-rae are innocent, while candidate Kim Min-seok is guilty."]

Lawmakers aligned with Jung, including Han Min-soo and Lee Sung-yoon, also joined in pressuring Leader Kim through social media.

Having bowed his head over the Shincheonji allegations, Leader Kim has suffered a considerable blow to his leadership.

The issue of merging with the Rebuilding Korea Party is expected to be the next battleground, and former leader Jung has already signaled that he will begin full-fledged political moves to coincide with Leader Kim's 100th day in office.

(Video by Oh Young-chun and Kim Yong-woo | Video Editing by Won Hyung-hee)