Police and Prosecutors Seize PPP Membership List Amid Shincheonji Recruitment Probe
Updated (4 articles)
Coordinated raid targets PPP office on Feb 27 On February 27, 2026, a joint police‑prosecutor team searched the People Power Party’s western Seoul headquarters, seizing its membership database as part of an investigation into alleged mass recruitment by the Shincheonji Church of Jesus [1][2]. The operation underscores heightened scrutiny of political‑religious connections after a broader probe began in January 2026 [1]. Investigators focused on potential violations of the Political Parties Act concerning membership management and decision‑making [1].
“Pilates” project allegedly funneled tens of thousands into PPP Former Shincheonji officials claim a recruitment scheme dubbed “Pilates” urged followers to become dues‑paying PPP members, aiming to sway the 2021 presidential primary and the 2024 general‑election candidate nominations [1][2]. Authorities allege the scheme enrolled tens of thousands of sect members, seeking to influence party nominations and election outcomes [1][2]. Shincheonji has denied any involvement in orchestrating mass enrollment or interfering with candidate selection [1].
Party leader Jang Dong‑hyeok photographed at headquarters before raid A photo released shows PPP leader Jang Dong‑hyeok at the western Seoul office on February 23, 2026, just days before the police operation [2]. The image highlights the timing of the raid relative to recent party activities and suggests the investigation targeted a high‑profile location [2]. No statement from Jang regarding the raid has been reported [2].
Investigation expands to Shincheonji sites and political ties The raid follows earlier searches of Shincheonji’s own facilities last month, reflecting a wider inquiry into suspected illegal cooperation between the sect and politicians [1]. Prosecutors are examining whether the church’s recruitment efforts breached election laws and party statutes [1]. The case forms part of a January‑initiated probe into religious groups’ influence on South Korean politics [1].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Police Raid PPP Headquarters Over Alleged Shincheonji Mass Recruitment: Details the Feb 27 raid, seizure of the PPP membership list, the “Pilates” recruitment scheme, and notes a prior raid on Shincheonji facilities as part of a broader investigation into political‑religious ties .
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2.
Yonhap: Police Raid People Power Party HQ Over Alleged Shincheonji Recruitment: Highlights the joint police‑prosecutor operation, the “Pilates” project’s alleged enrollment of tens of thousands, and includes a photo of PPP leader Jang Dong‑hyeok at the headquarters on Feb 23, emphasizing the leader’s proximity to the raid .
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Timeline
2021 – The People Power Party’s presidential primary sees alleged influence from Shincheonji members who later are accused of mass enrollment to sway candidate selection, a scheme later termed “Pilates” [3][4].
2022 – Shincheonji members reportedly mobilize support for Yoon Suk‑yeol during the presidential election, establishing a pattern of political‑religious collaboration that investigators later probe [4].
2024 – The PPP prepares for the general election, with prosecutors later alleging that the “Pilates” project aimed to secure tens of thousands of dues‑paying members to affect candidate nominations [1][2][3].
Jan 26, 2026 – President Lee Jae‑myung orders a joint police‑prosecutor task force to investigate political‑religious collusion, directing the first focus on Shincheonji and signaling a high‑level political commitment to the probe [4].
Jan 30, 2026 – A joint prosecution‑police team raids Shincheonji’s headquarters in Gwacheon and its Gapyeong training center, seizing documents on alleged forced PPP membership and citing violations of the Political Parties Act and obstruction of business [3].
Late Jan 2026 – Investigators conduct a separate raid on Shincheonji facilities, part of the same investigation that later expands to the People Power Party’s office [1].
Feb 23, 2026 – PPP leader Jang Dong‑hyeok appears at the party’s western Seoul headquarters, days before law‑enforcement executes a search, underscoring the proximity of the raid to recent party activity [2].
Feb 27, 2026 – Police and prosecutors raid the People Power Party’s western Seoul office, seizing the membership list amid accusations that Shincheonji’s “Pilates” project recruited tens of thousands of members to influence the 2021 primary and 2024 election nominations; the operation follows a joint investigation launched in January [1][2].
Feb 27, 2026 – Shincheonji publicly denies all accusations, stating that claims of orchestrated mass enrollment and political interference are unfounded and reiterating its rejection of collective affiliation allegations [1][3].
2026 (upcoming) – The joint probe is expected to continue ahead of the scheduled local elections, with opposition floor leader Song Eon‑seog warning of a “double standard” and calling for special prosecutors to examine both Shincheonji and Unification Church cases equally [4].
All related articles (4 articles)
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Yonhap: Police Raid PPP Headquarters Over Alleged Shincheonji Mass Recruitment
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Yonhap: Police Raid People Power Party HQ Over Alleged Shincheonji Recruitment
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Yonhap: Prosecution‑Police Raid Shincheonji Over Alleged PPP Collusion
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Yonhap: Shincheonji Probe Accelerates While Unification Church Case Lags