[Q&A] Kim Gang-rip "Changing stance on forced investigation of Shincheonji? It is the same as the previous position"

"Park Neung-hoo tells Chu Mi-ae 'Need to verify the list of believers more thoroughly'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), which serves as the control tower for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), explained that its sudden reversal on the 'forced investigation of Shincheonji' was because it had stated that "all measures can be taken if necessary for perfect quarantine."

Kim Kang-rip, the 1st General Coordinator of CDSCH (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), announced at a briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 5th, "We are conducting an administrative investigation of the Shincheonji Church headquarters in Gwacheon at 11 a.m. today."

The joint investigation team, composed of the Central Accident Response Headquarters (CARH) special management task force, the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters (CQCH) role investigation team, and the prosecution forensic analysis team, launched an on-site investigation that day.

Coordinator Kim explained the background of the investigation, saying, "Some local governments and others raised concerns about the reliability of the list of believers submitted by Shincheonji to the government, and we judged that verification of the data was necessary."

The main investigation contents include the personal information list of believers and trainees, attendance records for each worship service, and address information of all Shincheonji facilities. Coordinator Kim said, "This is data for quarantine management purposes to verify the reliability of the list previously submitted by Shincheonji and to identify the infection routes and movement paths of believers."

◇Below is a Q&A with Coordinator Kim regarding the administrative investigation of the Shincheonji headquarters

- It is said that the CDSCH sent an official letter to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office yesterday afternoon requesting cooperation from the prosecution because local governments questioned the reliability of the Shincheonji list. Is that true?

▲ The CDSCH has maintained the same position. Coercive measures can have a (negative) impact on quarantine. However, confirming all information accurately can fill gaps or loopholes that may arise in quarantine. I believe coercive measures are necessary for perfect quarantine. But it is difficult to say that only one direction is desirable. The government has said it will keep open the possibility of taking all necessary measures if needed.

The prosecution asked about CDSCH's position on the (forced investigation of Shincheonji), and as I recall, on the 2nd, we proposed the opinion that "confirming accurate information would help achieve perfect quarantine." Forced measures are matters for the prosecution and investigative authorities to decide. We said it would be better to first verify the accuracy of the data through administrative investigation, and accordingly, we gave prior notice to Shincheonji yesterday evening and are conducting the administrative investigation.

- At the briefing on the 2nd, you showed a cautious attitude toward forced investigation, saying, "If Shincheonji believers hide secretly due to the government's coercive measures, it could have a negative effect on quarantine." What prompted the change in position that evening?

▲ In the process of securing data, using coercive measures could cause problems from a quarantine perspective in accurately identifying the whereabouts or symptom manifestation of Shincheonji believers due to their characteristics. However, from the quarantine authorities' perspective, accurately confirming information can help ensure thorough work. I have repeatedly emphasized that I keep open the possibility of all necessary measures.

- So, did you propose coercive measures after securing the list provided by Shincheonji for comparison?

▲ The judgment on coercive measures is up to the investigative authorities. I do not think it is our decision.

- The vice minister's consistent position has been to seek voluntary cooperation and conduct investigations until cooperation from Shincheonji is not possible. Is it now judged that coercive measures are necessary because it is difficult to obtain cooperation from Shincheonji?

▲ Please review the context of my statements again. I have emphasized that if additional needs arise, all means can be considered. We thought that confirming additional information through administrative investigation would help ensure thorough quarantine.

- When the Supreme Prosecutors' Office inquired, saying the fax content was ambiguous and asked, "Has the position changed to needing a search and seizure of Shincheonji?" a CDSCH official said, "We had no choice but to send it because the higher-ups told us to request cooperation for search and seizure." Is that true?

▲ There was cooperation between Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo and Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae on this matter. Minister Park said that "it is necessary to confirm more precisely" the list of attendees on specific dates of worship services where a high possibility of group infection was expected. Minister Park judged that the accuracy of the list needed additional confirmation for perfect quarantine and conveyed this to Minister Choo.

- Until now, the stance was to draw out cooperation rather than exercise coercive power. What prompted the decision to conduct an administrative investigation at this point when 99% of the Shincheonji investigation is complete?

▲ Our sole purpose is to take all necessary measures for thorough quarantine. To this end, we have utilized the information secured so far to the fullest extent to carry out necessary quarantine measures. We have transparently disclosed explanations or differences confirmed regarding issues raised by some local governments. Despite maintaining such a position, if additional verification is necessary, we can consider all means.

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