Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji) issued an official apology over the controversy about members joining a political party en masse. The apology was released a day before Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee, 95, is set to have a bail hearing.
Shincheonji said at 2 p.m. on the 20th via its official social media (SNS) channel, "We deeply bow our heads and apologize for causing public controversy due to our church members joining the People Power Party and for causing great concern and worry to the public." The Shincheonji acting general secretary of the general assembly and the 12 tribe leaders attended the announcement.
Shincheonji said it "stood here with a devastated heart" and "fully recognizes our heavy responsibility for having caused political controversy for any reason."
It also said it would keep its distance from politics going forward. Shincheonji said, "We will take this issue as a painful moment of self-reflection, sever all ties with the political sphere going forward, strictly uphold political neutrality, and devote ourselves only to the original mission of a religious organization and pure faith activities." It added, "We sincerely bow our heads and apologize to all those hurt by this incident."
The apology came a day before Lee's bail hearing. Lee has been indicted and is on trial in custody on charges of directing that about 50,000 believers collectively join the People Power Party.
On the 4th, Lee applied for bail to the Seoul Central District Court, asking to stand trial without detention, and the court plans to hold a bail hearing on the 21st.