Kim Byung-ki, proper, flooring chief of the ruling Democratic Occasion of Korea (DPK), speaks throughout a celebration assembly on the Nationwide Meeting attended by DPK chief Jung Chung-rae, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
The ruling Democratic Occasion of Korea (DPK) on Monday accepted a proposal by the principle opposition Individuals Energy Occasion (PPP) to launch a particular counsel probe into the Unification Church over bribery allegations involving a number of politicians.
The choice got here after the PPP and the minor New Reform Occasion agreed to push for a particular investigation, as politicians from each the ruling and opposition events have come underneath suspicion of receiving funds from the Unification Church forward of the 2022 presidential election.
DPK chief Jung Chung-rae stated the get together is prepared to simply accept the opposition’s proposal to totally uncover the reality behind the allegations.
DPK flooring chief Kim Byung-ki echoed the stance, calling for a particular counsel to analyze all politicians concerned, no matter whether or not they’re from ruling or opposition events.
“Let’s clearly reveal how the Unification Church interfered in politics within the final presidential election,” Kim stated throughout a gathering of senior get together members.
Kim stated the probe ought to completely study allegations of collusion between the church and politics, unlawful political donations and affect peddling.
In response, PPP flooring chief Tune Eon-seog stated the DPK has accepted the get together’s proposal for a particular probe and steered holding talks between the 2 events’ flooring leaders, including that the PPP will transfer ahead with discussions.
The presidential workplace welcomed the transfer.
“It ought to supply a chance to conduct an intensive investigation into these concerned, no matter whether or not they belong to the ruling or opposition events, or their rank and standing,” a senior presidential official informed Yonhap Information Company by cellphone.
“It’s essential to uncover the complete reality behind the broad allegations of collusion between politics and faith, with out singling out sure circumstances, and punish these concerned,” the official added.
The transfer comes amid allegations that some DPK lawmakers accepted political funds and luxurious presents from the Unification Church, which can also be underneath investigation over bribery allegations involving PPP lawmakers.
Police are at the moment trying into allegations that the church supplied funds and luxurious presents to former Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo, former DPK lawmaker Lim Jong-seong and former United Future Occasion lawmaker Kim Gyu-hwan between 2018 and 2020.
Individually, PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was arrested in September on costs of accepting unlawful political funds from the Unification Church in 2022. The particular prosecution crew final week sought a four-year jail time period for the previous PPP flooring chief, referred to as an in depth confidant of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
