Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Lee Orders Neutral Probe as Police Take Over DP–Unification Church Allegations

The shift follows testimony that the church courted both parties, with some 2018 payments nearing the seven-year deadline.

Overview

  • The special counsel transferred allegations involving Democratic Party figures to the National Police Agency, saying they fall outside its legal mandate tied to the former first lady.
  • President Lee directed a strict, party-neutral investigation and asked officials to examine legal options that could include dissolving religious entities found to have interfered in politics unlawfully.
  • Former Unification Church official Yun Young-ho is expected to name Democratic Party lawmakers he claims received funds during his final court hearing today, according to sources.
  • Prosecutors have already indicted People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong and senior church figures over alleged 2022 financing, as critics question the probe’s consistency and the counsel defends its scope.
  • Authorities flagged timing pressure because alleged payments from 2018 could expire under the Political Funds Act’s seven-year statute of limitations at year-end.