Democratic Party of Korea Chair Kim Min-seok apologized Tuesday for alleging a three-way secret alliance involving Shincheonji, saying a party inquiry found no evidence as the ruling party declined to publish its findings.
Kim made the allegation during a leadership contest decided Aug. 17. Party meeting records document officials' requests for evidence behind the claim and for the inquiry's results. Allies of former Democratic Party Chair Jung Chung-rae, Kim's former rival, said the allegation targeted their camp.
Floor spokesperson Kim Sung-hoi conveyed Kim's remarks after a closed meeting of lawmakers Nov. 3. Kim apologized to people his claim may have harmed, the spokesperson said. Kim Sung-hoi also said Rep. Park Sun-won's planned presentation on the inquiry had been canceled.
Jung called for an apology in public and an explanation of how Kim would take responsibility. Kim Sung-hoi gave no partywide count of Shincheonji members or assessment of whether any affected the leadership vote.
The party will not make the inquiry's findings public, Kim Sung-hoi said. Its Supreme Council will discuss details concerning access to them, but he gave no date for that discussion.
