Handonghun Criticizes President Lee's Remarks on Dissolving Religious Groups: "A Public Threat... Is This a Mafia Movie?"

"Regardless of Political Affiliation, Politicians Who Took Money Must Be Punished," Says Han
Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Ahead of Unification Church Trial

Handonghun, former leader of the People Power Party, criticized President Lee Jae-myung for mentioning the possibility of dissolving religious organizations during a Cabinet meeting, saying, "Today's remarks are a public threat, like saying, 'If you reveal the money we gave you, you will be killed.'" On the 9th, Handonghun posted on social media, "This is a crude public threat, like saying, 'If the Unification Church reveals in court tomorrow the money it gave to Lee Jae-myung or the Democratic Party, we will dissolve it.'" He went on to say, "The day before the Unification Church is set to testify in court about money given to the Democratic Party, the President is publicly threatening, 'If you reveal the money we gave you, you will be killed.' Is this a mafia movie?"

Handonghun, former leader of the People Power Party, holds a press conference related to the first anniversary of the December 3 emergency martial law in front of the side gate of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "Instead of such transparent nonsense, this is an opportunity to punish and expel all corrupt politicians who received money from the Unification Church, regardless of party or political camp." He added, "The Unification Church Gate has already opened, and the more Lee Jae-myung reacts nervously, the bigger it will become."

President Lee: "Religious organizations intervening in politics... Foundations engaging in anti-social acts should be dissolved"

Previously, at the Cabinet meeting on the 2nd, President Lee stated, "There have been cases where religious foundations systematically and organizationally intervened in politics, violating the principle of separation of church and state." He added, "It seems that in Japan, there was an order to dissolve a religious foundation in a similar case. Please review this as well." This remark is interpreted as being made with the ongoing special prosecutor's investigation in mind, regarding allegations that the Unification Church sought collusion with the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

President Lee Jae-myung is reviewing documents at the Cabinet meeting held on the 9th at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

At the Cabinet meeting on the 9th, President Lee also said, "When an individual commits a crime or engages in anti-social acts, there are sanctions. Likewise, if a corporation engages in acts that violate the Constitution and the law, and are subject to public criticism, it should be dissolved." He then asked Jo Woncheol, head of the Ministry of Government Legislation, "I instructed you to review ways to dissolve religious organizations that intervene in politics and engage in illicit activities with illegal funds. Have you looked into it?"

In response, Jo replied, "Rather than a constitutional issue, this falls under Article 38 of the Civil Act. Dissolution is possible when a religious organization persistently commits severe illegal acts in an organized manner. It would have to be confirmed whether the actual violations meet that standard." According to Article 38 of the Civil Act, if a corporation engages in activities beyond its stated purpose, violates the conditions of its establishment permit, or otherwise acts against the public interest, the relevant authority may revoke its corporate status. President Lee then asked which government authority holds the power to revoke the establishment permit of a religious organization, and added, "I will follow up on this again later." Jo answered, "I will report in detail."

Meanwhile, regarding suspicions that Unification Church members collectively joined the People Power Party as party members, a trial involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who was additionally indicted, was scheduled for this day but was postponed due to procedural issues. The new trial date has been set for January 14, 2026, in the afternoon.