Yoon Geon-young Calls for Thorough Investigation into Shincheonji Allegations

Yoon Geon-young, a member of the Democratic Party, expressed the need for a thorough investigation into recent allegations regarding the collective membership of Shincheonji followers in the party. However, he maintained a cautious stance on referring the matter to police.

During an appearance on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Yoon stated, "Since this issue arose amid internal party conflicts, there is a concern about whether it is appropriate for the police to intervene with state power."

Regarding the Shincheonji allegations, Yoon described the reports as "hasty and lacking in nuance," asserting that the party must address the issue properly. However, he noted that he is "limited" in his support for a police investigation, emphasizing that law enforcement would need access to party membership lists to conduct a proper inquiry. He argued that political issues should be resolved politically, rather than being handed over to judicial authorities.

Yoon added, "I have not yet received the results of the party's investigation; I have only heard that the party leader and some members of the Supreme Council have been briefed. As the leader mentioned, it seems we should publicize this matter through a general assembly process."

He expressed concerns about factional conflicts arising from the Shincheonji allegations, stating, "We should not approach this issue from the perspective of which faction benefits or suffers. We must focus on what is best for the party and hope it is not misused."

In related news, Yoon commented on President Lee Jae-myung's appointment of Lim Kwang-hyun as Chief of Staff, suggesting that the choice reflects a preference for a breakthrough approach based on administrative and practical experience rather than merely management or stability. He noted, "The National Tax Service is a massive organization with over 20,000 employees, and Lim's ability to lead such an organization is commendable."

Regarding speculation about former Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik running for mayor of Seoul, Yoon predicted that the likelihood is low. He recalled that during the last Seoul mayoral by-election, former representative Song Young-gil, who was from Incheon, had a negative impact. Yoon acknowledged Kang's capabilities but cautioned that the transition from Chungcheongnam-do to Seoul could affect public perception.