Korean MPs Received Funds from Unification Church: Investigation Widens to 2020 & 2024 Elections

A South Korean investigation into alleged close ties between religious organization the Unification Church and political figures has expanded, revealing a pattern of potentially illegal political funding. The probe, conducted by a joint task force, centers on “splitting” donations – a method of circumventing legal limits on political contributions – and has already led to one conviction.

Expanding Investigation

The joint task force has reportedly secured additional lists of National Assembly members who may have received illicit funding from the Unification Church. The investigation initially focused on 54 members of the 20th National Assembly, revealing approximately 28 million won (roughly $21,000 USD) in donations linked to the church’s 2020 World Summit event. The scope of the investigation is now broadening to include members of the 21st National Assembly.

Focus on Key Events

The task force is analyzing materials related to events hosted by organizations affiliated with the Unification Church, including the World Summit and events organized by the World Peace Road Foundation, which promotes the construction of a Japan-Korea undersea tunnel. A recent raid on facilities, including the Cheonjeongung complex, yielded accounting records, attendee lists, and documentation related to lobbying expenses and donations.

Did You Know? The World Summit 2020, a large-scale event held at the KINTEX convention center in Ilsan, South Korea, was organized to commemorate the 100th birthday of Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church.

Political Affiliations and Funding Patterns

Of the 54 National Assembly members identified in the initial investigation, 32 were affiliated with the Liberty Korea Party (the predecessor to the current People Power Party). Thirteen were members of the Democratic Party, with smaller numbers from other parties including the Bareunmirae Party, the People’s Party, the Democratic Peace Party, the Justice Party, and the Alternative Party.

Members of key parliamentary committees – specifically the National Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Committee and the Industry, Trade and Energy Committee – were disproportionately represented among those who received funding. Some of these members reportedly attended or spoke at the 2020 World Summit.

Expert Insight: The alleged pattern of “splitting” donations, where individuals make smaller contributions that are then reimbursed by the Unification Church, highlights a deliberate attempt to circumvent South Korea’s political funding regulations and obscure the true source of these funds. This raises serious questions about potential undue influence and the integrity of the political process.

Internal Documents Reveal Strategy

An internal document, reportedly a “TM (True Mother) Special Report” authored by former Unification Church official Yoon Young-ho and addressed to Hak Ja Han Moon, details a strategy to engage with members of the Liberty Korea Party in preparation for the World Summit. Furthermore, investigators discovered a file titled “Plan for Legal Activities Related to the 21st National Assembly Election,” suggesting the church may have been attempting to influence the 2020 elections.

Recent Conviction

On January 28th, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, to a two-year prison sentence for receiving 100 million won in illegal political funds from the Unification Church. The court also acknowledged that luxury goods delivered to First Lady Kim Gun-hee through an intermediary were intended as “gifts for soliciting favors.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “splitting” of donations?

“Splitting” of donations refers to a practice where individuals make small political contributions, which are then reimbursed by the Unification Church through UPF accounts, effectively circumventing legal limits on individual donations.

Which political parties were most represented in the initial investigation?

The Liberty Korea Party (now the People Power Party) had the most members identified in the initial investigation, with 32 out of the 54 National Assembly members receiving potentially illicit funding.

What document revealed the Unification Church’s strategy regarding the 2020 elections?

Investigators discovered a file titled “Plan for Legal Activities Related to the 21st National Assembly Election,” suggesting the church may have been attempting to influence the 2020 elections.

As the investigation expands to include the 21st National Assembly, it remains to be seen whether further evidence of illicit funding will emerge and what the long-term consequences will be for the individuals and parties involved.