New Indictments in the Unification Church and People Power Party Case
A special prosecution team, led by Min Joong-ki, has announced additional charges against former first lady Kim Keon-hee, Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, and several other individuals. The charges are related to allegations of a “collective entry of Unification Church members into the People Power Party.” This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation into political and religious activities that have drawn public attention.
The special counsel highlighted that Kim, Han, Jeon Seong-bae (a shaman known as Geonjin), Yun Young-ho (former global head of the Unification Church), and an anonymized former Unification Church secretary-general were charged with violating the Political Party Act. According to the act, no individual should be coerced into joining or leaving a political party against their will.
Allegations of Coordinated Efforts
According to the special counsel, Kim and Jeon allegedly colluded to request the Unification Church in November 2022 to organize a mass entry of its followers into the People Power Party. This was reportedly done to ensure the election of their preferred candidate ahead of the party’s leadership race in March 2023. The indictment claims that in exchange, Kim and Jeon promised the Unification Church policy support, financial benefits, and a proportional representation seat in the National Assembly. Han and others reportedly accepted these terms.
Evidence Gathered by the Special Counsel
In response to these allegations, the special counsel reportedly seized and searched a server containing the People Power Party’s membership list on September 19. They extracted approximately 110,000 to 120,000 names suspected to be Unification Church followers. Additionally, on September 30, they raided the party’s Gyeongnam provincial office and discovered bundles of membership applications allegedly submitted by Unification Church adherents.
Previous Findings and Charges
Earlier, the special counsel reported that the Unification Church had systematically supported former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government by donating funds to 17 city and provincial branches of the People Power Party around the time of the 20th presidential election. On the 10th of last month, Han was referred to trial on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act.
Kim was previously indicted in August on charges of violating the Capital Markets Act, the Political Funds Act, and solicitation of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The recent developments indicate that the legal proceedings are expanding, with more individuals being implicated in the alleged activities surrounding the Unification Church and the People Power Party. The case continues to draw significant public interest, as it involves high-profile figures and raises questions about the intersection of religion, politics, and financial influence.
As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to emerge, potentially shedding more light on the extent of the alleged collusion and the implications for both the political and religious sectors involved. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences for the integrity of political processes and the role of religious organizations in shaping them.