South Korea’s Ruling Democratic Party Endorses Independent Counsel Amid Bias Probe Transfer
Updated (8 articles)
DP Reverses Position, Endorses Independent Counsel The Democratic Party’s leader Jung Chung‑rae announced there is no reason to reject an independent/special counsel, overturning the party’s earlier opposition and framing the move as a comprehensive inquiry into all politicians, including PPP lawmakers. The shift followed a Supreme Council meeting and aligns with a Gallup Korea poll showing 62 % of the public, and 67 % of DP supporters, favor a special counsel. This broad public backing pressured the DP to change course. [1][2][3][4]
Probe Expands to Ruling and Opposition Politicians The counsel’s mandate will cover alleged bribery, illegal donations, and luxury gifts tied to the Unification Church. Evidence includes a diamond necklace and handbag given to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, a watch to DP Rep. Chun Jae‑soo, and 100 million won to PPP Rep. Kweon Seong‑dong, who was later arrested on fund‑raising charges. Police are also probing gifts to former Oceans Minister Chun Jae‑soo, ex‑DP lawmaker Lim Jong‑seong, and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Gyu‑hwan. [1][3][4]
Legislative Math Limits Opposition‑Led Motion The People Power Party and Reform Party submitted a motion to appoint the counsel, but their combined seats fall short of a majority in the 300‑seat National Assembly, hindering passage. The appointment process requires the Supreme Court to nominate candidates and the President to make the final selection, adding procedural hurdles. Despite the numbers challenge, both parties continue negotiations with the DP. [2]
PPP Accuses Min Joong‑ki Team of Bias The PPP lodged a complaint alleging that Min Joong‑ki’s special‑counsel team biased the investigation toward opposition members, citing a statement that the Unification Church funded DP figures. Police raided Min’s office, seized records, and on Dec 17 transferred the case to the Corruption Investigation Office for High‑ranking Officials for review. The anti‑graft agency will now assess the impartiality of the probe. [5]
Public Polls Drive Cross‑Party Accountability Push Consistent Gallup data show strong public support for an independent counsel, pressuring parties to act. The presidential office welcomed the DP’s acceptance, emphasizing a cross‑party scope to uncover the truth. DP officials argue the move satisfies voter demand for accountability across the political spectrum. [1][2][3]
Sources
-
1.
Yonhap: DP backs Unification Church special counsel as PPP seeks fast‑track bill: reports DP’s leadership reversal, public poll support, and details of gifts to MPs, while noting partisan jockeying over the bill.
-
2.
Yonhap: DPK backs independent counsel to probe Unification Church ties: describes DPK’s shift to endorse an independent counsel, internal party debate, and legislative obstacles for the opposition’s motion.
-
3.
Yonhap: South Korea's ruling DP backs special counsel probe into Unification Church over bribery allegations: outlines DP’s acceptance of PPP’s proposal, specific bribery allegations, Kweon Seong‑dong arrest, and presidential office’s reaction.
-
4.
Yonhap: DP approves special counsel probe into Unification Church bribery allegations: reiterates cross‑party probe intent, lists targeted politicians, and emphasizes the goal to expose church‑politics collusion.
-
5.
Yonhap: Police transfer case on alleged bias in special counsel's investigation to anti‑graft agency: details PPP’s bias complaint, police raid on Min Joong‑ki’s team, and case handover to the anti‑corruption office.
Timeline
2018‑2020 – Unification Church provides tens of millions of won and luxury items (diamond necklace, handbag, watch) to several politicians, including DP Rep. Chun Jae‑soo, former Oceans Minister Chun Jae‑soo, former DP lawmaker Lim Jong‑seong, and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Gyu‑hwan, sparking allegations of church‑politics collusion[1][4].
Mar 2022 – The church allegedly supports both People Power Party (PPP) and Democratic Party (DP) candidates ahead of the presidential election, according to later testimony, raising concerns about undue religious influence on the vote[8].
Sept 2024 – PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong‑dong is arrested on charges of accepting 100 million won in illegal political funds from the Unification Church in 2022; prosecutors seek a four‑year prison term, highlighting the scandal’s reach into the ruling party[3][4].
Aug 2025 – Former Unification Church official Yun Young‑ho testifies that he gave tens of millions of won to two DP lawmakers between 2018 and 2020 and that the church supported 15 DP politicians through donations and book purchases, expanding the probe beyond PPP ties[8][7].
Dec 8, 2025 – Yun claims the church backed DP politicians ahead of the 2022 election, stating he approached both PPP and DP officials and that the church’s support was not partisan; a DP spokesperson defends the inquiry’s neutrality while PPP critics label it political[8].
Dec 9, 2025 – Special counsel Min Joong‑ki’s team transfers the preliminary Unification Church‑DP probe to the National Police Agency to ensure a comprehensive review, noting that the seven‑year statute of limitations for 2018 payments will expire at the end of 2025[7].
Dec 11, 2025 – The special counsel’s office confirms Yun’s claim that five politicians—spanning ruling and opposition parties—received church funds, and assistant counsel Park Noh‑soo says the allegations fall outside the team’s original mandate, prompting regret over ignored testimony[6].
Dec 16, 2025 – Police move the bias complaint against Min’s team to the Corruption Investigation Office for High‑ranking Officials after the PPP alleges the probe targets its members, while a church official testifies the organization sought to support both ruling and opposition parties[5].
Dec 21, 2025 – The Democratic Party (DP) approves the opposition‑proposed special‑counsel probe into Unification Church bribery, with leader Jung Chung‑rae stating “we are willing to accept the proposal to fully uncover the truth,” and floor leader Kim Byung‑ki vows to expose church interference in the last presidential election[4][3].
Dec 21, 2025 – The presidential office welcomes the cross‑party probe, emphasizing its opportunity to investigate all involved regardless of rank, while security checks at Cheong Wa Dae proceed ahead of the presidential compound relocation[3].
Dec 22, 2025 – The DP reverses its stance, with Jung Chung‑rae declaring “there is no reason not to accept” the special‑counsel appointment, as a Gallup Korea poll shows 62% public support for a special counsel and 67% among DP supporters[1].
Dec 22, 2025 – The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) backs an independent counsel, with Chairman Jung Chung‑rae arguing “there is no good reason to reject” it and calling for an inquiry that covers all politicians, including PPP lawmakers; floor leader Kim Byung‑kee adds that former President Yoon Suk‑yeol and his wife’s ties to the church must be examined[2].
Late 2025 (expected) – The Supreme Court is set to nominate candidates for the independent counsel, and the President will appoint the selected individual, though the PPP‑Reform Party coalition lacks a parliamentary majority to pass the motion[2].
End 2025 – The seven‑year statute of limitations for alleged 2018 Unification Church political‑fund violations expires, potentially limiting prosecution of those payments unless further legal action is taken[7].
All related articles (8 articles)
-
Yonhap: DP backs Unification Church special counsel as PPP seeks fast-track bill
-
Yonhap: DPK backs independent counsel to probe Unification Church ties
-
Yonhap: South Korea's ruling DP backs special counsel probe into Unification Church over bribery allegations
-
Yonhap: DP approves special counsel probe into Unification Church bribery allegations
-
Yonhap: Police transfer case on alleged bias in special counsel's investigation to anti-graft agency
-
Yonhap: Special Counsel Confirms Ex‑Unification Church Official Named Five Politicians Allegedly Receiving Church Funds
-
Yonhap: Special counsel transfers probe on Unification Church-DP ties to police
-
Yonhap: Ex-official of Unification Church claims support for DP politicians ahead of 2022 vote