Joint Investigation Team Conducts Second Search of Shincheonji Headquarters Over Mass Party Membership Allegations

Securing Additional Evidence on Party Membership Recruitment
Investigation into Political Parties Act Violations by Lee Manhee and Others

The joint investigation team of prosecutors and police, which is probing allegations of collusion between the Unification Church and Shincheonji, conducted another search and seizure of Shincheonji on the 11th in connection with suspicions of orchestrated party membership registrations.

Shincheonji Chairman Lee Manhee Released on Bail with Jewelry. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the legal community, the joint investigation team began a search and seizure at the main headquarters of Shincheonji in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, from the morning of that day.

It is reported that this search and seizure was carried out to secure additional necessary materials related to the headquarters and the residence of Chairman Lee Manhee, following a similar operation in January.

Shincheonji, Chairman Lee, and others are suspected of instructing large numbers of followers to register as members of the People Power Party and other parties during various elections around 2020, with the aim of ensuring the election of specific candidates. They are also accused of disrupting the People Power Party’s normal membership management and decision-making processes, including primary elections, through these actions.

The joint investigation team has booked Chairman Lee and others as suspects on charges of violating the Political Parties Act and obstructing official work, and is currently investigating them.

During questioning of former Shincheonji executives, the joint investigation team reportedly obtained statements that Shincheonji, under the so-called “Pilates Project,” encouraged its members to join the People Power Party as responsible members, resulting in tens of thousands of followers registering as responsible members of the party.

After Gyeonggi Province’s forced epidemiological investigation and subsequent police probe during the COVID-19 period, Shincheonji became antagonistic towards progressive political groups. As a result, there have been internal testimonies that Shincheonji sought to exert political influence through conservative circles.

The joint investigation team has repeatedly summoned current and former Shincheonji affiliates for questioning, reviewing recordings of instructions from Chairman Lee and other officials regarding party membership registration. In addition, the team conducted searches at the People Power Party headquarters last month and again on the 3rd of this month, confirming the party's membership list.

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