Jin Jong-oh: "Democratic Party City Councilor Attempted to Recruit 3,000 Religious Followers as Party Members"… City Councilor: "Fabrication" (Summary)

Jin: "Blatant talk of backing Kim Min-seok… Recording shows 18 million won in party dues to be paid by proxy for 3,000 people"

City Councilor Kim Gyeong: "I will leave the party to reveal the truth"… Jung Chung-rae orders a fact-finding investigation

Rep. Jin Jong-oh of the People Power Party revealing a recorded tip-off at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 30th. He is exposing allegations that the Democratic Party attempted to manipulate party membership by mobilizing followers of a specific religious group. 2025.9.30 utzza@yna.co.kr

On the 30th, Rep. Jin Jong-oh of the People Power Party claimed, "Evidence has emerged that a Seoul City Councilor from the Democratic Party of Korea attempted to force 3,000 followers of a specific religious group to join the Democratic Party so they could vote for a specific candidate in next year's local election primaries."

In response, Democratic Party Leader Jung Chung-rae ordered the party's Ethics Inspection Committee and the Seoul City Committee to conduct a thorough investigation, while the accused, City Councilor Kim Gyeong, refuted the claim as "a clear, malicious fabrication."

During a press conference at the National Assembly, Rep. Jin played a call recording and alleged, "An aide to the Democratic Party city councilor attempted to coerce an informant by promising to pay the party dues for 3,000 religious followers for six months to turn them into party members with voting rights."

According to the recording, when the informant asked, "Joining the party isn't a problem, but won't the money become an issue later?" the councilor's aide replied, "That's being paid personally, so it won't be a problem at all." The informant then retorted, "But it's 18 million won. If it's 1,000 won each."

One thousand won is the minimum monthly fee for a "responsible member" of the Democratic Party; if 3,000 people pay 1,000 won each for six months, the total comes to 18 million won.

Rep. Jin argued, "The aide said the 18 million won to cover the dues for 3,000 people for six months would be 'paid personally,'" adding, "The source of the funds to cover these party dues must be identified."

He also released a recording between the city councilor and the informant, stating, "When the informant asked the city councilor about the purpose of the 3,000-person list, (the councilor) blatantly talked about supporting Prime Minister Kim Min-seok."

Rep. Jin asserted, "The Democratic Party has vehemently criticized the People Power Party for the involvement of specific religions, yet they have been engaging in conduct far worse than that," adding, "If the recording is true, I hope they submit to an investigation—whether it's a special counsel or otherwise—and if Prime Minister Kim is involved, he should resign immediately and face an investigation."

The Democratic Party's new logo and Party Identity (PI) unveiled on the 24th, the first in eight years. 2024.1.24 [Provided by the Democratic Party of Korea. Resale and DB prohibited] photo@yna.co.kr

In response, City Councilor Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly and completely denied the allegations raised by Rep. Jin.

Councilor Kim explained that during a meeting on the 4th of last month to hear grievances from Jang Jeong-hee, Vice President of the Seoul Shooting Federation, Jang had said, "Isn't it hard to recruit people during elections? I manage 3,000 members. I can help with next year's election." Kim claimed he only provided information on how to register as a party member and did not actually receive a membership list.

"As the Chair of the City Council's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, I was simply listening to the grievances of sports personnel as part of my normal duties. Distorting this as a meeting with a religious group is a clear fabrication," he argued.

He added, "There was no proxy payment of party dues. I clearly explained to Vice President Jang that party dues must be paid individually through one's own mobile phone."

Furthermore, he emphasized, "The talk of Prime Minister Kim Min-seok came up only because Jang said, 'I don't like the People Power Party anymore and I like the Democratic Party.' It was just a pleasantry. The Prime Minister is unrelated to this matter, and I have never discussed primary manipulation with Vice President Jang."

Councilor Kim urged Rep. Jin to "apologize to the public for this clear fabrication, political retaliation, false framing, and distortion/deception, and correct the truth." He added, "To avoid causing trouble for my party, I will leave the party, reveal the truth through legal action, and return with my head held high."

Prior to Councilor Kim's press conference, the Democratic Party announced through a media notice that Representative Jung had ordered the party's Ethics Inspection Committee and the Seoul City Committee to conduct a thorough investigation and take disciplinary action if any illegalities were found.

The Democratic Party's Seoul City Committee later issued a press release stating, "We have confirmed that Councilor Kim’s mention of Prime Minister Kim was merely an expression of political opinion and was unrelated to the Prime Minister or the party," adding, "We express our regret over the reckless raising of allegations without properly verifying the facts."

However, the Seoul City Committee decided to invalidate the party membership of those recruited by Councilor Kim and will conduct a separate comprehensive investigation into all members who have recently joined.

They also stated they would consider legal action against Councilor Kim and other related individuals if any illegalities or serious issues are discovered. Yonhap News