Seoul: Special prosecutor Min Joong-ki is under scrutiny for allegedly applying a double standard during his team's investigation into the Unification Church. Last week, Min indicted Yoon Young-ho, the former director-general of the church's world headquarters, on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. The indictment accuses Yoon of distributing 144 million won ($97,600) to about 20 politicians affiliated with the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) in 2022, ahead of the presidential election.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the indictment has sparked a debate over the investigation's fairness. Yoon testified that the Unification Church also provided tens of millions of won to two lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), including one who is still in office. He claimed that one DPK lawmaker received both cash and a luxury watch and provided investigators with a list of DPK politicians linked to the church. However, the special counsel team chose not to investigate the DPK politicians.
This decision to indict PPP politicians while ignoring allegations involving DPK politicians has drawn criticism. PPP floor leader Rep. Song Eon-seog accused Min and his team of being "henchmen" for the DPK. Former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon also alleged a double standard, suggesting that DPK politicians are being shielded from investigation despite allegedly receiving illegal donations. He argued that the special counsel appears to be "working like a subcontractor" for the DPK.
In response, the DPK rejected accusations of bias. Rep. Baek Seung-ah stated that the investigators' decision to indict Yoon and PPP-linked politicians while not pursuing DPK figures was based on evidence. She emphasized that, unlike the PPP, there was no systematic effort within the DPK to receive illegal donations from the church.
The special counsel's decision raises several concerns. First, the investigators seem to have ignored alleged criminal activity involving ruling party members, leading to questions of professional misconduct and abuse of power. Second, Min and his team have undermined the rule of law by failing to conduct a fair and impartial investigation, as expected of special counsels appointed to handle politically sensitive cases.
Most importantly, the flawed investigation threatens the foundations of democracy. Special counsels are intended to ensure that no public official is above the law. Min and his team's actions suggest that DPK members are beyond accountability. For a special prosecutor's work to be credible and impartial, findings must be transparent. Instead, their conclusions have eroded public trust in democratic institutions.
The special counsel led by Min was established in July to investigate allegations that former first lady Kim Keon Hee was involved in stock manipulation. However, Min and his team have been embroiled in controversy from the start, with Min facing accusations of stock manipulation after earning significant profits from the same stocks in which Kim had invested. Despite calls for an explanation, he has not provided a satisfactory account of his investments.
Additionally, several investigators on his team were accused of coercing an official from Yangpyeong County in Gyeonggi Province into confessing involvement in a land development scandal linked to the former first lady. The official committed suicide after questioning, leaving a note claiming he was forced to lie about his role in the case.
These controversies have led to public demands for an investigation into Min and his team. The special counsel must offer clear answers regarding the irregularities surrounding their conduct. They must also clarify whether they intimidated or coerced the Yangpyeong official and investigate the DPK politicians who allegedly received money from the Unification Church. Only a full and fair inquiry can restore public trust.