Presidential Office open to any form of Unification Church probe

Dec 29, 2025, 09:44 am

		0
Lee Gyu-yeon, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication, briefs the press on ministerial and vice-ministerial appointments at the Chunchugwan briefing room of the presidential office on Dec. 28. / Yonhap

The Presidential Office said Sunday it has no objection to a special counsel investigation into the Unification Church as long as the probe is conducted without exceptions.

“Whether it is handled by the police or a special counsel, the president believes the format does not matter if an investigation proceeds without any sacred cows,” the office said in response to questions about legislation for a special counsel inquiry.

The remarks were delivered by Lee Gyu-yeon, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication, during an afternoon briefing at the presidential office.

Asked about allegations involving Kim Byung-gi, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee said it would be “inappropriate” for the presidential office to comment.

On the Unification Church probe, Lee added that any investigation should be carried out in line with the constitutional principle that South Korea does not recognize a state religion and prohibits collusion between politics and religion.

When questioned about political disputes over whether the Shincheonji Church should also be included as a subject of investigation, Lee said, “It is inappropriate to single out a specific religion.”

Lee also declined to comment on Coupang’s internal findings regarding a recent data breach, saying the presidential office had no separate position. He added that relevant ministries would formulate and implement countermeasures under the leadership of Bae Kyung-hoon, deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT.

The comments came as Lee briefed the media on newly announced ministerial and vice-ministerial appointments earlier in the day.

#Presidential Office #Unification Church #special counsel #unrestricted investigation #Lee Gyu-yeon