Seoul: As Korea reflects on the previous year's thwarted martial law declaration on December 3, President Lee Jae Myung has voiced concerns about the intersection of politics and religion, particularly critiquing a religious group's political involvement. During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Lee emphasized the importance of maintaining the separation between politics and religion, highlighting a recent violation of this principle by an unnamed religious organization.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee alluded to the Unification Church, suggesting it as the group in question, while instructing the justice minister to explore measures to curb such political interventions. He referenced Japan's legal precedent, where the Tokyo District Court ordered the disbandment of the Unification Church following its political entanglements, notably after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. Investigations revealed that the church had financially supported Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, implicating four Cabinet members from Fumio Kishida's administration.
In Korea, the Unification Church is embroiled in various legal challenges, including trials and probes related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection charges, former first lady Kim Keon Hee's corruption allegations, and the death of a marine. The church allegedly sought to gain favor with Yoon's administration once he assumed office in 2022.
Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the opposition People Power Party (PPP) is also facing trial for allegedly receiving bribes from a senior Unification Church official. These allegations claim that the church attempted to influence the former president and first lady, with Han Hak-ja, the church's leader, accused of gifting luxury items to Kim Keon Hee. Both Kweon and Han are currently detained as their trials proceed.
The attempts to secure political advantage through financial or material gifts undermine democratic principles by potentially marginalizing other groups' voices. While individuals have the right to religious freedom and expression, these freedoms should be exercised with care, especially by public figures.
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea's leader, Jung Chung-rae, has proposed legislation to dissolve political parties, specifically targeting the opposition PPP. Given the DPK's majority in the National Assembly, this proposal raises concerns of political bias.
President Lee's remarks on the potential dissolution of religious groups with political ties carry significant implications. Such actions could limit free expression and provoke fears of religious persecution. As President Lee underscores the need for political-religious separation, he must also ensure political activities do not encroach upon religious freedoms. Upholding the democratic values enshrined in Korea's Constitution remains paramount.