Religion-politics link scandal expands to ruling party, fueling turmoil

The alleged illegal ties between a religious group and political circles are expanding from the main opposition party to the ruling one, with several figures under suspicion of receiving money from the group. President Lee Jae Myung ordered authorities to pursue the allegations strictly, regardless of political affiliation or rank. Until recently, attention had been largely centered on the Unification Church’s alleged bribes to former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee, as well as some figures in the then-ruling People Power Party (PPP). However, new reports have emerged that the church also sought to forge broad connections with the current ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), potentially triggering even broader political fallout. Yun Young-ho, former head of the Unification Church’s global headquarters, reportedly told a special counsel team of investigators that the church delivered then-DPK lawmaker and current Oceans and Fisheries Minister Chun Jae-soo with 40 million won ($27,190) in cash in a box, along with two luxury watches, between 2018 and 2020. He also cWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times