Lee Jae-myung and Shincheonji's 'bad blood' predates COVID-19… venue refusal cited as origin

The whistleblower described the relationship between Shincheonji and Mayor Lee as an 'old grudge.' They claimed the remark expressed displeasure over the mayor's refusal to approve a venue rental for a Shincheonji event at the time.

They added that from 2013 they formed a supporters' group called 'Cafe Trot' and were active in it, travelling to Seongnam in person to back Mayor Lee.

The whistleblower noted a similar situation during Lee's time as Gyeonggi governor and stressed that Lee Man-hee publicly criticized the mayor. On this basis, they argued the Lee–Shincheonji conflict began before the COVID-19 outbreak.

A claim has emerged that around 2013–2014, Lee Man-hee openly voiced displeasure about Mayor Lee while preaching at a Shincheonji church in Jeonju. The matter was not reported in the press, and the whistleblower attributed the cause to the mayor's refusal of Shincheonji's venue application. The whistleblower again stressed that the conflict between the mayor and Shincheonji began long ago.

The whistleblower claimed Lee Man-hee played a 'kingmaker' role, even being involved in changing the name of the Saenuri Party during Park Geun-hye's presidency. The whistleblower added that Lee Man-hee, with such influence, would have felt considerable displeasure when Mayor Lee refused Shincheonji's venue application. This, they said, was an important trigger for Shincheonji's resentment toward the mayor.

Most people believe the Lee–Shincheonji conflict began with the COVID-19 outbreak, but according to the whistleblower, their bad blood dates back to Lee's time as Seongnam mayor and is a 'deep-rooted grudge.' The whistleblower explained that the conflict started long ago over the venue refusal, and that COVID-19 merely brought it into public view.

The group appears to have played a role similar to the 'Sonkahyeok' supporter group. Although living in Jeonju, the whistleblower said they travelled to Seongnam to run a fan club activity for Mayor Lee and were very active, producing web posters and more.

The whistleblower said Shincheonji followers had also infiltrated 'Sonkahyeok,' the Lee support organization. Shincheonji, they analysed, focused less on backing a particular candidate and more on stirring conflict within the Democratic Party.

An article promoting Moon Jae-in reportedly appeared on the website of Cheonjiilbo, Shincheonji's organ, and Shincheonji followers allegedly entered both the Moon and Lee camps to support them and create turmoil. The whistleblower explained that Shincheonji's aim was not to favour a particular candidate, but to disrupt the Democratic Party from within.

A witness claimed that many Shincheonji followers had infiltrated the 'Song Ga-yeon' fan café for singer Song Ga-in. Former co-representatives of Song Ga-yeon reportedly acknowledged this to the whistleblower, saying they had no choice but to accept Shincheonji followers at the time. This, the example suggests, shows Shincheonji also infiltrated fan communities as internal disruptors.

The whistleblower stressed that Shincheonji infiltrating the Moon camp does not mean President Moon Jae-in is connected to Shincheonji, adding that the same applies to candidate Chung Chung-rae. The concern over Shincheonji interference in the primary, they explained, does not presuppose a direct link to any particular candidate, but rather a strategic approach of backing candidates in ways that expand Shincheonji's influence and benefit its leader.

Shincheonji followers may have infiltrated both the Moon and Lee camps and, through abusive attacks and promotion aimed at the other side, deepened the divide between the two camps. Director Choi Young-min pointed out that, given recent posts on sites such as Ddanzi Ilbe attacking President Lee Jae-myung harshly and even calling for impeachment, such people should be investigated as possible Shincheonji followers.

The ads were reportedly placed not during the 19th presidential election but during the 2012 presidential race against Park Geun-hye. The Moon camp explained that it ran ads across all internet media by allocating promotional funds, and that it did not single out Cheonjiilbo. However, it was added that one should be cautious about concluding from an ad in Cheonjiilbo that former president Moon Jae-in is directly connected to Shincheonji.

A man named Son living in Gwangju reportedly became a Shincheonji follower in his twenties and had lived as a Shincheonji member for over 40 years, the whistleblower said. They added that his wife was also a Shincheonji instructor. This suggests Shincheonji executive-level figures were active in the Gwangju area as well.

The whistleblower said Shincheonji is a group that plots cleverly, and that through such conduct it aimed to disrupt the Democratic Party's primary process. This, they explained, shows Shincheonji focused on sowing division rather than backing any particular candidate.

The whistleblower said they were subjected to heavy attacks as a result. This is an example showing Shincheonji followers also infiltrated and were active in online communities.

The whistleblower recounted that between 2015 and 2017, on hearing that then Seongnam mayor Lee Jae-myung would visit Asan, they travelled up from Jeonju to meet him, and that was when they learned Lee was a Shincheonji follower. This suggests Shincheonji followers were deeply involved in a core Lee supporter organization.

Director Choi Young-min analysed that while it may sound unfamiliar that Shincheonji infiltrated 'Sonkahyeok,' it is highly plausible. He warned that even now, during the Democratic Party primary, Shincheonji followers posing as ordinary supporters may infiltrate community groups of the Chung Chung-rae, Kim Min-seok, and Park Soo-hyun camps and launch harsh attacks and smears to stir division and discord within the party. He added that primary participants should therefore be wary of such internal disruptors.

Director Choi Young-min noted that during the recent party convention period, many dormant Facebook accounts that had gone unused for years have sent him friend requests. He said he thinks this may be related to the convention, and that one should suspect attempts by Shincheonji followers to infiltrate covertly and exert influence.

Director Choi Young-min said that during this party convention, a certain group has been excessively cursing and muddying the atmosphere whenever a particular candidate appears. He said such behaviour is unusual and that such people are likely Shincheonji followers, so they should be watched carefully and treated with suspicion. He analysed that Shincheonji could engage in such conduct to stir conflict within the Democratic Party.