Unification Church-Affiliated Group Accused of Donating 13 Million Won to Lawmakers' Fundraising Committees
Charged with Violating the Political Funds Act... Statute of Limitations Suspended for Others Following One Indictment
Song Kwangseok, a Unification Church official suspected of lobbying activities such as "split donations" targeting political circles, was indicted on December 31. However, the prosecution has requested supplementary investigations regarding Unification Church leader Han Hakja and others.
The Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (acting chief prosecutor Yoon Sujeong) announced on this day that Song, who previously served as chairman of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), an organization affiliated with the Unification Church, has been indicted on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.
Song Kwangseok, former chairman of the Unification Church-affiliated organization Universal Peace Federation (UPF), suspected of acting as a 'channel' for the Unification Church to approach political figures, is appearing at the Seoul Seodaemun Police Agency on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News
Song is accused of donating 13 million won of UPF corporate funds to the fundraising committees of 11 National Assembly members on January 3, 2019. Article 31 of the Political Funds Act prohibits donations of political funds from domestic or foreign corporations or organizations.
However, the prosecution has requested the police to conduct supplementary investigations into three individuals, including Han Hakja, who were referred as Song's accomplices. Previously, a special police task force referred Song, Han Hakja, Yoon Youngho (former global headquarters director), and Jeong Wonju (former chief secretary to Han Hakja) to the prosecution on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.
They are suspected of systematically delivering illegal political donations to politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties in early 2019. The police determined that they used a so-called "split donation" method, in which donations were made under individual names and then reimbursed by the Unification Church corporation.
The statute of limitations for these charges is seven years and was set to expire on January 2 of the following month. However, with Song's indictment on this day, the statute of limitations for his accomplices, including Han Hakja, is also suspended until a final court ruling is made.
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