Park Ji-won Comments on Growing Unification Church Lobbying Allegations in Politics
"Unification Church Has Exercised Influence Across Successive Administrations"
"Criticizing Meetings Without Financial Transactions Is Excessive"
As suspicions of Unification Church lobbying continue to spread within political circles, Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asserted that "the key issue is whether money was received." Appearing on KBS Radio's "Jeonggyeok Sisa" on the 18th, Assemblyman Park stated, "It is true that the Unification Church has exerted influence over the political sphere through successive administrations," adding, "During the Kim Dae-jung administration, there were approaches made to me, and I met with Reverend Sun Myung Moon three times, but there was no financial provision."
Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "It is true that the Unification Church has exerted influence over the political sphere through successive administrations," adding, "During the Kim Dae-jung administration, there were approaches made to me, and I met with Reverend Sun Myung Moon three times, but there was no financial provision." Photo by The Asia Business Daily DB
When the host asked whether receiving money is the standard for what is considered inappropriate for politicians, Assemblyman Park replied, "Yes. Politicians sometimes go where the votes are, and sharing meals is part of politics." He continued, "Politicians meet with various people and take photos or give congratulatory remarks to garner support during election campaigns. The important point is whether money was received. As long as there is no financial transaction, criticizing attendance at events or taking photos is excessive."
Assemblyman Park was highly critical of the Unification Church. He said, "If a religious organization intervened in politics with money, it is a serious violation of the constitutional principle of separation of church and state," adding, "There should be severe punishment, and if the Unification Church engaged in lobbying for political purposes with money or valuables, it must be held accountable, including being disbanded."
Previously, it was belatedly revealed that Youngho Yoon, former Director of the Unification Church World Headquarters, stated during an interview with the Minjunggi Special Prosecutor's investigation team in August that "I believe I saw Assemblyman Jeon Jae-soo, former Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Jong-sung, and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Gyuhwan (currently President of Korea Coal Corporation) at Cheonjeonggung," and "I heard that they received cash and watches." He made these statements while under investigation for allegations that the Unification Church systematically supported the People Power Party ahead of the 2022 presidential election, reportedly saying, "We could not support only one side. We also supported the Democratic Party, which was the ruling party at the time."
Former Unification Church World Headquarters Director Youngho Yoon's mention of Democratic Party lawmakers during an interview with the Minjunggi Special Prosecutor's investigation team last August has recently come to light, sparking controversy. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
However, at the trial of Kweon Seongdong, a People Power Party lawmaker under investigation for Unification Church-related matters, on the 12th, Yoon stated, "The parts being talked about in public now are completely different from my intentions... I never made such statements," adding, "There are cases like this, so I have to be cautious," and refrained from further comment.
Regarding this, Assemblyman Park wrote on social media, "Yoon's testimony in court and to the special prosecutor has lost credibility and was made as a form of insurance. The entire nation has been deceived by his silver tongue," adding, "The Unification Church has reached out to every administration and attempted to provide illicit funds each time. In particular, Yoon's methods went beyond common sense." He continued, "The world was turned upside down by reports of 15 politicians being involved, and now there is only talk of rumors. The National Office of Investigation must make him speak. If there are politicians who violated the constitutional principle of separation of church and state, they must be exposed regardless of party affiliation. The Unification Church must be disbanded."
On the 2nd, President Lee Jaemyung stated at a cabinet meeting, "It is a constitutional violation for a religion to break the principle of separation of church and state and intervene in politics," instructing the Ministry of Government Legislation to "review the possibility of filing for the dissolution of religious foundations that have intervened in politics." The People Power Party and other opposition parties are calling for a special prosecutor as suspicions of Democratic Party involvement have emerged. However, Lee Guyoun, Senior Secretary for Public Communication at the Presidential Office, said in an interview on MBC Radio's "Kwon Soonpyo's News High Kick" on the 17th, "It is premature to talk about a special prosecutor at this time."
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