The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has issued a formal statement expressing deep concern over speculative reports alleging systematic election interference, demanding an impartial investigation by the Joint Investigation Headquarters. The church specifically addresses claims of mass entry into the People Power Party, interference in the Presidential election, and interference in the General election, which it states are based solely on the unilateral claims of expelled individuals. In its statement, the church unequivocally denies ever instructing its members to join any political party, including the People Power Party or the Democratic Party of Korea, or to engage in political activities. It asserts that systematic election interference is neither structurally possible nor factually true, emphasizing that individual political activity is a fundamental constitutional right. The church states it does not track members' political choices, does not control them, and does not maintain any lists of party members within its congregation.
Despite these denials, the church notes that certain politicians and media outlets are concluding that Shincheonji Church of Jesus is systematically interfering in elections in collusion with a specific party. This behavior, according to the church, amplifies unverified speculation and effectively predetermines the investigation's direction before it has concluded. The church seeks truth based on facts and has officially demanded a fair verification process from the Joint Investigation Headquarters. The church's first demand is for the Joint Investigation Headquarters to conduct a simultaneous joint inquiry by cross-referencing the list of members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus with political party rosters, including those of the Democratic Party and the People Power Party. Shincheonji Church of Jesus clearly states its willingness to provide its membership list with the consent of its members, insisting this investigation must not target a specific party alone. It must be, as the President instructed, an investigation without sanctuary, leaving no one exempt.
Second, if any individuals are confirmed to be registered members of any political party, the Headquarters must directly investigate the circumstances of their joining and whether there was any systemic instruction. Furthermore, the investigation must objectively verify whether these individuals participated in major intra-party elections, such as presidential primaries or party leadership primaries. Third, the church demands that if claims persist that Shincheonji Church of Jesus received special favors through political intervention, specific details and evidence must be clearly presented. It argues that if political collusion actually existed, it could not explain the current reality where the church is blocked from using its own facilities as religious sites, even after purchasing spaces through a legally sound process.
The church strongly demands that this matter be clarified not through suspicion targeting a specific party, but through a fair joint investigation that spans both ruling and opposition parties. Fourth, the Headquarters must investigate whether there is collusion between politics and religion across all religious groups, including Protestant, Buddhist, and Catholic denominations, and must use the exact same methods applied to Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The church, which describes itself as based on the foundations of Christ and the commands of Scripture, has congregants worldwide and engages in community service work. This development matters because it highlights significant tensions between religious freedom and political integrity in South Korea, with potential implications for electoral transparency, religious rights, and the credibility of democratic institutions. The church's call for a comprehensive investigation across all religious groups suggests broader concerns about political-religious relationships that could affect public trust and governance standards.
