Allegations of Unification Church Bribery Expand to Democratic Party
Over Ten Current and Former Officials, Including Minister Chun Jaesu, Implicated
A New Variable for Next Year's Local Elections as People Power Party Ramps Up Offensive
The controversy is intensifying as allegations have emerged that the Unification Church provided money and valuables not only to members of the People Power Party but also to figures from the Democratic Party. If the police investigation gains momentum, it is expected to have a significant impact on the landscape of next year's local elections. For now, the Democratic Party has drawn a line against claims of organized collusion and has moved to defend itself, while the People Power Party, having secured relevant testimony, is not only criticizing the Min Junggi special prosecutor's team for failing to investigate but is also considering legal action against those connected to the Democratic Party, launching a counteroffensive.
Former Unification Church World Headquarters Director Yoon Youngho appeared at the Seoul Central District Court on July 30 for a warrant hearing on suspicion of soliciting a shaman. Photo by Yonhap News
According to political and legal sources on the 10th, Yoon Youngho, former director of the Unification Church World Headquarters, who has been indicted and detained on charges of delivering money and valuables to First Lady Kim Keonhee, reportedly stated during the special prosecutor's investigation that he also provided financial support to Democratic Party figures, including Oceans and Fisheries Minister Chun Jaesu. Previously, Kwon Seongdong, a member of the People Power Party, was indicted and detained on charges of receiving 100 million won from the Unification Church, and now there is testimony implicating Democratic Party figures in similar criminal allegations.
As the controversy grew, the former minister at the center of the allegations responded the previous day via his social media account, stating, "I have never received any money or valuables, including from the Unification Church, in any area of my legislative activities or personal life." However, since the Min Junggi special prosecutor's team transferred the case to the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency just the day before, four months after first becoming aware of the allegations, the truth is expected to be revealed through further investigation.
The former minister has been considered a strong candidate for the Busan mayoral race in next year's local elections, which has heightened confusion both inside and outside the Democratic Party. If the police investigation accelerates or leads to an indictment ahead of the election, not only could the former minister's candidacy be affected, but the Democratic Party could also face renewed questions about its ethical standards. In particular, it is reported that Yoon Youngho plans to reveal additional names of Democratic Party figures during his sentencing hearing on charges of embezzlement in the afternoon, prompting the Democratic Party to closely monitor the situation.
People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk is speaking at the tent protest site in front of the National Assembly main building on the 10th to block the Democratic Party's push for contentious bills. Photo by Yonhap News
The Democratic Party and the presidential office have moved quickly to contain the situation. An official from the presidential office said in a phone call, "The allegations involving the president's close associates and the Unification Church are currently groundless," adding, "The presidential office cannot order an inspection or investigation based solely on unsubstantiated verbal allegations." Park Soo-hyun, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, appeared on KBS Radio the previous day and explained that "this is different from the issue of organized collusion between the People Power Party and the Unification Church."
The People Power Party is intensifying its offensive against the Democratic Party, using the alleged ties between the Unification Church and the Democratic Party as leverage. The party plans to highlight its long-standing claims of a 'political special prosecution' and 'oppression of the opposition,' while also using the issue as a variable that could upend the outcome of next year's local elections. Choi Eunseok, chief spokesperson for the party, told reporters the previous day that they would file a complaint against the special prosecutor's team for determining that those involved in the bribery allegations were not subject to investigation, despite confirming suspicious circumstances. Former party leader Han Donghoon also commented, "Not even Lee Jaemyung's grandfather could stop the Unification Church Gate."
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