Folks Energy Social gathering flooring chief Tune Eon-seok speaks throughout a information convention on the Nationwide Meeting in Seoul, Friday, calling for a radical investigation into allegations of illicit funds involving the Unification Church. Yonhap
An increasing, politically fraught investigation into alleged illicit ties between the Unification Church and Korean politicians has grow to be one of the far-reaching influence-peddling scandals the nation has seen lately.
The widening probe by a crew of particular prosecutors led by Min Jung-ki now touches figures throughout the political spectrum, drawing in lawmakers from each the ruling Democratic Social gathering of Korea (DPK) and the primary opposition Folks Energy Social gathering (PPP), and unexpectedly extending into President Lee Jae Myung’s inside circle. The scandal threatens to upend an already delicate political stability in Seoul, intensifying stress on each main events to display transparency and distance themselves from the church.
At difficulty are longstanding accusations that senior Unification Church officers, formally referred to as the Household Federation for World Peace and Unification, engaged in systematic lobbying by offering cash, marketing campaign help or items to politicians and authorities leaders. The allegations span years and a number of administrations, pointing to what investigators describe as an entrenched sample of contact between the influential non secular group and the political institution.
For Lee, who has constructed his fame on preventing corruption, the scrutiny of senior Cupboard members poses a major political danger, complicating his legislative priorities and alluring questions on his vetting of high aides.
How the scandal developed
The controversy got here to mild as investigators examined testimony and proof linked to Yun Younger-ho, a former senior Unification Church government who as soon as led its international headquarters. Yun is accused of performing as a key middleman in alleged lobbying efforts involving political figures.
As particulars from courtroom proceedings and investigative reporting emerged, scrutiny expanded from particular person transactions to broader questions over whether or not the church had sought affect throughout celebration traces. The president ordered a full investigation into suspected unlawful ties between non secular teams and politicians, insisting the inquiry transfer ahead no matter affiliation or rank.
Regulation enforcement businesses have widened their probe, sifting via monetary information, communications and witness statements associated to alleged political outreach by figures related to the church.
With allegations touching each the ruling and opposition events, the Unification Church issued its first public apology.
In a video message launched Dec. 11, Tune Yong-cheon, who leads the Korean department of the non secular group, mentioned he “deeply apologizes” for inflicting public concern, whereas insisting that the church, as an establishment, neither pursued political collusion nor engaged in actions supporting or opposing explicit events. He mentioned the church has by no means had “any plan or intention” to align with political energy and seeks “concord inside households, society, nations and humanity.”
Tune described Yun’s actions as an “particular person deviation,” whereas acknowledging that the church did not detect or forestall his conduct — a lapse he attributed to weaknesses in administration oversight moderately than an organized technique.
Han Hak-ja, head of the Unification Church, leaves Seoul Central District Court docket in Seoul, Sept. 22, after attending a listening to to overview a warrant for her arrest. Korea Occasions file
Unification Church figures below investigation
Yun, as soon as seen as one of many church’s most influential insiders, has been indicted and detained on costs tied to political lobbying. Prosecutors say he funneled cash and valuables to politicians to advance the church’s pursuits. He has additionally been accused of giving money and items to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s spouse, Kim Keon Hee — allegations that surfaced in courtroom — and has reportedly instructed investigators that he contacted lawmakers from each the DPK and the PPP, resulting in a widening of the inquiry’s scope.
In a separate case, Han Hak-ja, the church’s chief, is on trial on bribery costs. Prosecutors say luxurious items have been deployed as a part of an affect marketing campaign, accusations Han has denied.
After the dying of its founder, Moon Solar-myung, in 2012, the Unification Church splintered into rival factions led by his sons, every asserting a declare to his mantle. One, headed by Moon Hyun-jin, fashioned a separate worldwide community, whereas one other, led by Moon Hyung-jin, established the Sanctuary Church — also called Rod of Iron Ministries — in the US. The primary physique, below Moon’s widow, Han, continues to function because the Household Federation for World Peace and Unification, leaving the motion divided over management and management of its property.
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young waits for an elevator after chatting with reporters at Authorities Advanced Seoul, Thursday, and denying allegations that he acquired illicit funds linked to the Unification Church. Yonhap
Key allegations examined by investigators
Authorities are analyzing whether or not money or valuables have been supplied in violation of anti-bribery and political funding legal guidelines, and whether or not any coverage favors have been sought in return. Investigators are additionally reviewing whether or not makes an attempt have been made to hide proof as soon as the investigation started.
The investigation escalated sharply when allegations reached members of Lee’s Cupboard.
Former Oceans and Fisheries Minister Chun Jae-soo resigned after media experiences alleged he accepted tens of hundreds of thousands of received in money and luxurious watches from Yun between 2018 and 2020. He has denied receiving unlawful funds and says he stepped right down to deal with responding to the allegations and cooperating with investigators.
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has additionally been talked about in information experiences. He acknowledged assembly Yun briefly in 2021, saying the encounter lasted about 10 minutes and concerned no monetary trade. He denied any wrongdoing and mentioned he has by no means met Han.
Former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Chun Jae-soo / Yonhap
“My identify has by no means as soon as been linked to any money-related scandal in my 30-year political profession, one thing I’ve lengthy taken pleasure in,” Chung mentioned, including that he would “pursue each civil and prison accountability towards media shops that broken my fame with unfounded rumors.”
Separate experiences have alleged that Nationwide Intelligence Service (NIS) head Lee Jong-seok had contact with church figures. The NIS chief has denied receiving any cash and mentioned his interplay was restricted to a single policy-related assembly.
At a information convention Friday, PPP flooring chief Tune Eon-seok mentioned he needed “the 2 Cupboard members, in addition to shut aides and different key figures implicated within the Unification Church scandal, to be publicly instructed to actively cooperate with the investigation,” stressing that “anybody who acquired monetary help from the church needs to be investigated with out exception, no matter their affiliation or place.”
Lawmakers from each the DPK and the PPP have been linked to the alleged lobbying actions.
Yun has been accused of delivering 100 million received ($68,000) in money to a PPP lawmaker, who has since been indicted. Investigators have additionally mentioned that Yun instructed authorities he contacted politicians affiliated with the DPK, although not all people referenced have been publicly recognized.
Each events have mentioned that the allegations needs to be dealt with via investigations and authorized processes moderately than political assaults.
As scrutiny intensified, the particular prosecutor transferred the case to the Nationwide Police Company, which has fashioned a devoted job power to conduct a full-scale investigation.
Authorities have mentioned that further questioning and additional indictments stay attainable because the probe continues. All people named have denied wrongdoing, and no closing judicial conclusions have been reached.
