South Korea’s President calls for probe into links between religious group and politics
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South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung ordered his ministers to consider ways to disband religious groups that meddle in politics.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL – South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung has called for an investigation into suspected illegal links between a religious group and politicians.
Mr Lee’s order should apply “no matter whether (a politician is from the) ruling or opposition party, a high or low position”, the presidential office said on Dec 10.
The statement did not specify the religious group.
During a live-streamed Cabinet meeting on Dec 9, Mr Lee said he ordered his ministers to consider ways to “disband religious groups that meddle in politics and do strange things with illegal funds”, and asked about how South Korea’s process to disband a religious group differed from Japan’s system.
Mr Lee’s spokesperson on Dec 9 said the President had not singled out a particular religious group.
Some politicians have said that Mr Lee’s comments appeared to be directed at the Unification Church, whose leader Han Hak-ja is on trial
The case is part of a string of investigations by special prosecutors into ousted former president Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim in the wake of hi s martial law order in December 2024
Han has denied any wrongdoing.
A former Unification Church official told a special prosecutor that lawmakers in Mr Lee’s ruling party also received funds from the church, South Korean media has reported.
Police have been asked to investigate any contacts between ruling party members and the Unification Church, the Yonhap News Agency reported on Dec 9.
The church on Dec 10 denied any wrongdoing.
“Our religious group has never colluded with political powers in an organised manner, nor have we ever attempted to gain benefits by supporting any particular political party,” the Unification Church said in a statement.
In Japan, a Tokyo district court ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church in March. The case has since gone to appeal. REUTERS
