PPP, New Reform Party propose Unification Church probe

Dec 24, 2025, 08:59 am

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Kwak Gyu-taek (right), floor spokesperson of the People Power Party, and Lee Ju-young, policy chief of the New Reform Party, submit a bill calling for a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of financial support from the Unification Church to politicians at the National Assembly on Dec. 23. / Photo by Lee Byeong-hwa

The main opposition People Power Party and the New Reform Party on Monday jointly introduced a bill calling for a special prosecutor to investigate allegations that the Unification Church provided illicit financial support to political figures.

Kwak Gyu-taek, floor spokesperson of the People Power Party, and Lee Ju-young, policy chief of the New Reform Party, submitted the bill to the National Assembly’s legislative office. The legislation was co-sponsored by PPP floor leader Song Eon-seok and New Reform Party floor leader Cheon Ha-ram, with 110 lawmakers from the two parties signing on.

Under the bill, the scope of the investigation would be limited to alleged ties between the Unification Church and political figures. Specific targets include suspicions of illegal political donations, attempts to cover up or delay investigations, allegations of organizational efforts to influence party politics through mass party membership drives, and lobbying linked to meetings with or requests involving church leader Han Hak-ja.

Certain cases are explicitly excluded, including allegations involving the misuse of undisclosed information by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki and the death of a Yangpyeong County official.

The bill adopts a so-called “third-party recommendation” system for appointing the special prosecutor. Under this framework, the head of the National Court Administration would recommend two candidates, from whom the president would appoint one.

Speaking to reporters after filing the bill, Lee said the proposal aims to “put an end to moth-like politics that clings to anyone with power or money,” stressing the need to halt improper church-state collusion and money politics. He added that the investigation should help restore the separation of powers, which he said had been undermined by legislative dominance.

Kwak said allegations were mounting that the existing probe led by Special Prosecutor Min had delayed investigations to the point that statutes of limitations may have expired in some cases. “We hope this special prosecutor will thoroughly uncover suspicions of inadequate investigation and dereliction of duty,” he said.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea reiterated its commitment to pursuing a special prosecutor investigation into the Unification Church. Floor leader Kim Byung-kee said the probe was “inevitable” and vowed to provide full support to ensure swift and coordinated investigations once launched.

However, the Democratic Party struck a cautious note on passing the bill within the year. Party spokesperson Baek Seung-ah said that while the party supports the idea of a special prosecutor, “reaching consensus is necessary, making rapid passage difficult.”

#Unification Church #special prosecutor #People Power Party #New Reform Party #political donations