"Yoon Youngho testified about five politicians from both parties...
No disagreement that it falls outside the scope of the special investigation"
'Yoon Couple's Nomination Interference' Lee Junseok and Han Donghoon Summoned
The Minjungki Special Prosecutor's team acknowledged that former Unification Church World Headquarters Chief Yoon Youngho mentioned five politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties during the investigation. However, the team expressed strong regret over accusations of "biased investigation."
Park Nosu, Special Prosecutor of the Minjungki Special Investigation Team investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Keonhee. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
At a regular briefing on the 11th, Special Prosecutor Assistant Park Nosu clarified for the first time that "the individuals mentioned in former Chief Yoon's statement were not only politicians from a specific party, but five politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties." Previously, on the 5th, Yoon testified at his trial that the Unification Church had provided support not only to the People Power Party but also to Democratic Party politicians during the Moon Jae-in administration.
He further emphasized, "I want to reiterate that there was no disagreement within the investigation team that former Chief Yoon's statement does not fall under the scope of the Special Prosecutor Act. We strongly regret the continued reports and claims suggesting that not investigating this matter constitutes a biased investigation in favor of a particular party."
The special prosecutor's team obtained Yoon's statement last August but did not launch a formal investigation, instead only including it in the investigation report. Then, early last month, after assigning a preliminary investigation case number, the team determined that those who exchanged money could potentially be charged with bribery or violations of the Political Funds Act.
As controversy arose over the team neither investigating the case themselves nor referring it to another agency-leading to allegations of "biased investigation and delayed response"-the case was finally transferred to the National Office of Investigation of the Korean National Police Agency on the 9th, four months later.
'Yoon Couple's Nomination Interference' Lee Junseok and Han Donghoon Summoned
Additionally, regarding allegations that former President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Keonhee intervened in candidate nominations, the special prosecutor's team requested the attendance of Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, and Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party.
Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, is appearing on Asia Business Daily AK Radio at the National Assembly on the 5th, interviewing specialist So Jongsup. 2025.8.5 Photo by Hyunmin Kim
Special Prosecutor Assistant Park stated, "We sent a summons to Representative Lee, requesting him to appear as a suspect at 10 a.m. on the 12th," and added that "for former Representative Han, we have sent another summons requesting him to appear as a witness at 2 p.m. on the 18th."
Lee has claimed that, during his tenure as leader of the People Power Party, there is a recorded phone call from the June 1, 2022 local elections and parliamentary by-elections, in which former President Yoon attempted to intervene in the nominations for positions such as Mayor of Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and Mayor of Pohang. Former Representative Han stated that around last year's general election, he was asked to nominate former Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Sangmin, and when he refused, it led to conflict with former President Yoon.
Special Prosecutor Assistant Park explained that the team deems it unavoidable to question both Lee and Han, as their statements are necessary for the investigation. However, he noted that both are effectively refusing to comply with the summons.
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