[Statement] Position of Shincheonji Church of Jesus on Reports Regarding the “Chairman’s Voice Recording”

[January 21, 2026]

1. The reports by MBC, JTBC, and others concerning the recordings of Chairman Lee Man-hee's phone calls are merely expressions of the Chairman’s personal frustration and sense of grievance shared in a private conversation regarding the excessive administrative measures and social stigma directed at Shincheonji Church of Jesus during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was not a single remark instructing or planning political participation, political party enrollment, or election interference.

2. Despite the matter being under investigation, the reports utilized excerpts and edited only specific remarks rather than the entire conversation. This results in serious distortion by excluding the context of the situation and the remarks, thereby leading to the conclusion of political interference.

3. Reporting that frames Shincheonji as having systematically intervened in political circles based on a specific conclusion before investigation results are released constitutes a clear distortion of fact and malicious framing. Shincheonji Church of Jesus clearly states that it will review all possible measures, including legal action.