Shincheonji Suddenly Apologizes — One Day Before Lee Man-hee’s Bail Hearing
I thought this was very interesting and worth sharing.
Today, August 20, Shincheonji suddenly made a public apology regarding the mass enrollment of its members in the People Power Party.
The Acting General Affairs Director appeared with all 12 tribe leaders and apologized to the Korean public. They also said that from now on, Shincheonji would cut off all connections with politics and strictly maintain political neutrality.
What caught my attention was the timing.
Lee Man-hee’s bail hearing is tomorrow, August 21, at 4:00 PM.
So why did Shincheonji suddenly make this apology today, just one day before his bail hearing?
Of course, I can’t say that this apology was made because of the bail hearing. But considering the timing and the charges Lee Man-hee is currently facing, I think it is something worth paying attention to.
Here is the video of today’s apology:
https://www.youtube.com/live/VPI4xInWwtA?is=BCwzhr8YIk8vFvEb
For those who don’t speak Korean, I translated the full statement below.
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Full English Translation
Hello. I am the Acting General Affairs Director of the General Assembly of Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
Today, the General Assembly Headquarters and the leaders of the 12 tribes stand before you with heavy hearts and a profound sense of distress.
We bow our heads and sincerely apologize for causing public controversy and bringing great concern and distress to the people of Korea over the recent enrollment of members of our church in the People Power Party.
Regardless of the circumstances, we fully acknowledge the serious responsibility we bear for having caused political controversy.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus will take this matter as an opportunity for painful self-reflection. Going forward, we will sever all ties with the political sphere, strictly uphold political neutrality, and devote ourselves solely to the proper mission of a religious organization and to sincere activities of faith.
We would also like to extend our deepest apologies to our congregation members.
We are deeply sorry for the hurt and disappointment we have caused our members, who are walking the narrow and difficult path of faith, and we deeply regret that we failed to provide them with the protection and support they deserved.
Going forward, Shincheonji Church of Jesus will fulfill its responsibilities and duties as a member of Korean society and strive to become a mature religious organization devoted solely to faith and harmonious coexistence with society.
Once again, we bow our heads and sincerely apologize to the people of Korea, to our congregation members, and to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.
We are truly sorry.
(Korean)
[사과문]
국민 여러분께 머리 숙여 사과드립니다
안녕하십니까. 신천지예수교회 총회 총무 대행입니다.
오늘 총회 본부와 12지파장은 무겁고 참담한 심정으로 이 자리에 섰습니다.
최근 본 교회 교인들의 국민의힘 정당 가입으로 사회적 물의를 일으키고, 국민 여러분께 큰 걱정과 심려를 끼쳐드린 점에 대해 머리 숙여 깊이 사과드립니다.
이유 여하를 막론하고 정치적 논란을 야기한 데에 대해 무거운 책임을 통감합니다.
신천지예수교회는 이번 사안을 뼈아픈 자성의 계기로 삼아, 앞으로는 정치권과의 일절 연계를 차단하고, 정치적 중립을 엄격히 준수하며 오직 종교단체 본연의 사명과 순수한 신앙 활동에만 전념하겠습니다.
아울러 성도 여러분께도 깊은 사과의 말씀을 전합니다.
좁고 협착한 신앙의 길을 걷고 있는 성도 여러분께 큰 상처와 실망을 안겨드려 송구한 마음을 금할 길이 없고, 든든한 울타리가 되어드리지 못한 점을 깊이 반성합니다.
신천지예수교회는 앞으로 대한민국의 구성원으로서 책임과 본분을 다하며, 오직 신앙과 사회적 상생에 매진하는 성숙한 종교단체로 거듭나겠습니다.
다시 한번 국민 여러분과 성도 여러분, 그리고 이번 일로 상처받으신 모든 분께 진심으로 머리 숙여 사죄드립니다. 죄송합니다.
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Again, I just find the timing very interesting.
August 20: Shincheonji publicly apologizes.
August 21, 4:00 PM: Lee Man-hee’s bail hearing.
Why now?
