South Korea's ruling Democratic Party accepted the main opposition People Power Party's proposal on Monday for a special counsel investigation into bribery allegations involving the Unification Church and politicians. The move follows suspicions that members from both parties received funds from the church ahead of the 2022 presidential election. Party leaders stressed the need to uncover the full truth.
On Monday, South Korea's ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) accepted a proposal from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) to launch a special counsel investigation into bribery allegations linking the Unification Church to multiple politicians. The agreement followed a pact between the PPP and the minor New Reform Party to pursue the probe, amid suspicions that politicians from both major parties received funds from the church before the 2022 presidential election.
DPK leader Jung Chung-rae stated the party would accept the opposition's proposal to fully uncover the truth behind the allegations. Floor leader Kim Byung-ki reinforced this, urging a special counsel to investigate all involved politicians regardless of party affiliation. "Let's clearly reveal how the Unification Church interfered in politics in the last presidential election," Kim said during a senior party meeting. He emphasized that the probe should thoroughly examine claims of collusion between the church and politics, illegal political donations, and influence peddling.
PPP floor leader Song Eon-seog welcomed the DPK's acceptance and proposed talks between the parties' floor leaders to move forward. The presidential office also endorsed the decision, with a senior official telling Yonhap News Agency that it offers a chance for a thorough investigation irrespective of party or status. "It is necessary to uncover the full truth behind the broad allegations of collusion between politics and religion, without singling out certain cases, and punish those involved," the official added.
The development occurs as allegations surface that some DPK lawmakers accepted political funds and luxury gifts from the Unification Church, which faces separate probes over bribery involving PPP members. Police are investigating claims that the church provided funds and gifts to former Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo, ex-DPK lawmaker Lim Jong-seong, and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Gyu-hwan between 2018 and 2020. Separately, PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was arrested in September on charges of taking illegal funds from the church in 2022; prosecutors last week sought a four-year prison term for the former floor leader, a close ally of ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol.
