Seoul, South Korea – Accusations of financial ties between leading Democratic Party lawmakers and the Unification Church are intensifying calls for a thorough inquiry, with critics alleging a potential cover-up by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki. The controversy centers on claims that tens of millions of won in funds and valuables were delivered to two Democratic Party figures during the moon Jae-in administration by Yoon Young-ho,former head of the Unification Church world Headquarters.
The allegations, first reported by a media outlet last August, have sparked outrage from the People Power Party, with Floor Leader Song Eon-seok asserting on Facebook that Special Prosecutor Min “covered up these serious criminal charges even though he was aware of them.” Song further criticized the special prosecutor’s focus on investigations targeting the opposition while allegedly failing to scrutinize the Democratic Party, labeling him “a servant who follows the regime’s tastes.” The core question now is whether the Democratic Party can legitimately accept funds from an organization widely criticized for its practices, and whether prosecutors have adequately investigated potential wrongdoing.
Former CEO Han Dong-hoon echoed these concerns, posting on facebook that Special prosecutor Min is a “Democratic Party subcontractor” and accusing President Lee Jae-myung of hypocrisy for suggesting the disbandment of religious organizations involved in politics while his party allegedly received funds from the Unification Church. Han demanded the Democratic party and its “subcontractors” be disbanded if Lee’s stated principles are to be upheld.
Senior floor spokesperson Choi Soo-jin has called for a “full reinvestigation and immediate indictment” regarding the alleged bribery, alongside a probe into the special prosecutor’s “selective investigation.” The accusations come amid ongoing scrutiny of the Unification Church and its political connections in South Korea,raising questions about openness and accountability in political funding. The Democratic Party has not yet issued a comprehensive response to the specific allegations.
