Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has reiterated his call for the dissolution of the Unification Church, alleging violations of the constitutional separation of religion and politics and claiming the group has acted illegally. During a Cabinet meeting, Lee questioned Cho Won-chul, the minister of government legislation, about the ministry's review of certain religious organizations following his earlier instructions.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho confirmed that the ministry had conducted the review and submitted a report to the presidential office. He refrained from discussing the details as the session was live-streamed, but acknowledged that under Article 38 of the Civil Act, a court could dissolve a religious organization if it engages in significant illegal activities. Cho noted that it remains to be determined whether the Unification Church's actions meet the legal standards for dissolution.
Lee emphasized that any organization, religious or otherwise, should face dissolution if it violates the Constitution or other laws, comparing the principle to individual citizens who are punished for crimes. This marks the second time Lee has addressed the issue of dissolving religious organizations, previously hinting at a religious group interfering in politics without naming it explicitly.
Although Lee did not directly name the Unification Church, the context made it apparent. His call for the church's dissolution hinges on the alleged influence the church attempted to exert on the political process through connections with the main opposition People Power Party (PPP). However, recent investigations suggest that ties to the church may extend to the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) as well, with allegations of monetary exchanges with some of its politicians.
Yun Young-ho, former head of the Unification Church's global headquarters, reportedly testified that the church had approached individuals in Lee's camp during the 2022 presidential election, implicating two DPK lawmakers. One of these lawmakers, Rep. Chun Jae-soo, who also serves as minister of oceans and fisheries, is alleged to have received luxury items and cash from the church. Chun has denied these allegations, claiming media reports about him are false and threatening legal action.
In Korea, interest groups, including religious organizations, often seek connections with political actors. The legislative branch's increasing power, particularly after the DPK's victory in the 2024 National Assembly elections, has made such interactions more prevalent. However, there is currently no strong evidence that the Unification Church has effectively influenced political affairs.
The potential dissolution of the Unification Church is a contentious issue that requires demonstrable evidence of harm and public consensus. Lee's pursuit of this matter could be viewed as an attempt to suppress religious groups or conduct a political purge, potentially harming his reputation. Whether the Unification Church's alleged political ties justify dissolution remains uncertain.