South Korean investigators raid main opposition party for alleged mass recruitment linked to church

​​​​​​​By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korean investigators raided the headquarters of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Friday for alleged mass recruitment linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Yonhap News reported, citing legal sources.

Police and prosecutor investigators went to the PPP’s office in western Seoul to conduct a search and seizure operation for materials, including the party’s membership roster, said sources.

Nearly 11 hours later, however, the PPP announced that the team left "empty-handed" following a standoff.

"I understand that they did not take any seized items or specific objects from not only the party headquarters but also the database company," PPP senior spokesperson Park Sung-hoon told reporters.

The church is suspected of pressuring members to join the PPP in an effort to sway the outcome of the party’s 2021 presidential primary and its candidate nominations for the 2024 general elections.

The investigation team reportedly obtained statements from former Shincheonji officials indicating that the church urged followers to join the PPP and tens of thousands subsequently became fee-paying party members.

The investigation was initiated last month to examine claims of improper ties between religious organizations and politicians.

The team has been looking into Shincheonji on suspicions that it violated the Political Parties Act by allegedly interfering in the PPP’s membership management and internal decision-making.

Authorities searched the group’s headquarters and other related facilities last month.

Shincheonji has rejected all accusations, including claims of large-scale enrollment into the PPP and meddling in the party’s candidate selection process.