Shincheonji "Lee Man-hee is unrelated to politics"... Clarifies 'Park Geun-hye watch' and Saenuri Party naming controversy

Shincheonji Statement Clarifies Former President Park's Watch and Saenuri Party Naming Allegations

On the 2nd, Lee Man-hee, the General Assembly Chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, held a press conference at the Palace of Peace and announced his position. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji) clarified suspicions regarding the 'Park Geun-hye watch' worn by Chairman Lee Man-hee (89) at a press conference and the claim about naming the Saenuri Party (predecessor of the United Future Party).

On the 3rd, Shincheonji issued a press release stating, "The watch worn by Chairman Lee Man-hee was a gift from a member in the past. The Chairman usually wears it, and it is unrelated to politics. The Chairman does not attach any meaning to watches, ties, or accessories," dismissing the issue.

Regarding the claim that he named the Saenuri Party, they explained, "The Chairman has never named the Saenuri Party nor made such statements."

Earlier, on the 2nd, Lee Man-hee held a press conference at 3:20 p.m. at the Palace of Peace in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, expressing his position by saying, "I sincerely apologize to the people."

He bowed his head and said, "I am truly ashamed. I bow and ask for forgiveness from the people." He continued, "Please forgive this unworthy person for not doing well," and added, "I will do my best to cooperate with the government as much as I can."

Lee Man-hee, the president of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), held a press conference on the afternoon of the 2nd at the Shincheonji training center 'Palace of Peace' in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, and officially apologized for the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

A watch engraved with the name of former President Park Geun-hye of the Blue House is visible on President Lee's wrist. [Image source=Yonhap News]

As Lee Man-hee apologized for the COVID-19 outbreak, attention was also drawn to the wristwatch he wore. The watch was engraved with two phoenixes symbolizing the Blue House, the Mugunghwa flower, and the name of former President Park Geun-hye.

This sparked controversy over its authenticity both inside and outside political circles. Lee Geon-yong, an administrative officer of the Blue House Secretariat during the Park Geun-hye administration and currently a member of the United Future Party’s organizational team, posted on his Facebook on the 3rd, stating, "The President ordered the production of only one type of 'silver watch' commonly known, and since then, only 'silver watches' have been used as souvenirs," adding, "Although various souvenirs such as desk clocks and wall clocks were produced, 'gold-plated watches' were never made."

Also, Kim Jin-tae, a United Party lawmaker, said in an urgent commentary on the same day, "It seems fake. The Park Geun-hye watch is silver-plated, not gold-plated like that," and "Moreover, there was no Park Geun-hye watch with a date display. I have never seen such a gold-plated watch."

Meanwhile, suspicions were raised that Lee Man-hee named the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the United Future Party.

On the 28th of last month, the United Future Party reported Chairman Lee to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and firmly denied the claim, stating, "Lee Man-hee’s false statement that he named the Saenuri Party itself damages the honor of the Saenuri Party (predecessor of the United Future Party)."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.