A joint prosecution-police investigation unit raided the headquarters of the People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesday as part of an investigation into alleged collusion between the Shincheonji religious group and political circles. The PPP condemned the move as "an attempt to strike at the heart of the opposition" and mobilized its leadership to the headquarters in protest.
According to legal sources, the joint investigation unit searched the PPP headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday morning and secured party membership records.
Shincheonji is suspected of enrolling its followers as PPP members to influence the party's 2021 presidential primary and 2024 general election primaries. During questioning of former executives, investigators obtained testimony that Shincheonji encouraged followers to join the PPP through a project codenamed "Pilates," resulting in tens of thousands of followers registering as full party members.
The investigation unit believes Shincheonji interfered with the PPP's normal membership management and decision-making processes including primaries. Investigators are pursuing charges of violating the Political Parties Act and obstruction of business. Last month, the unit conducted searches at Shincheonji's general assembly headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, and the Peace Training Center in Gapyeong County.
Upon news of the raid, PPP floor leader Song Eon-seok summoned all lawmakers to party headquarters except those required to maintain the filibuster in the main chamber.
"Following the special counsel, now the prosecution's joint investigation unit says it will seize the PPP membership roster," Song said. "Oppression of the opposition, elimination of the opposition—this is dictatorship."