Former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries and current Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Jae-soo, who is facing allegations of accepting money from the Unification Church, has defended a photo that surfaced showing him holding a book by Han Hak-ja, the president of the Unification Church. Jeon explained that it was a moment of interaction with local residents.
On December 15, Jeon posted on Facebook, stating, “In my constituency in Buk-gu, Busan, we refer to those up to 79 years old as older brothers and sisters, and from 80, we call them elder brothers and sisters.” He continued, “During the election, when these brothers and sisters came to my campaign office to cheer me on, carrying a book for a photo opportunity, how could I refuse?”
Regarding reports of his attendance at a Unification Church event, Jeon commented, “Even outside of election periods, when the community elders ask me to attend events and say a few words, while I cannot attend all, I occasionally drop by to show my face, greet, and say a few words of congratulations. I am truly grateful for these opportunities.”
Jeon emphasized, “Whether they attend churches, cathedrals, or temples, they are all precious brothers and sisters and invaluable neighbors to me,” and clarified, “I unequivocally reiterate that there has been absolutely no illegal receipt of money or valuables.”
Earlier, the JoongAng Ilbo reported that Jeon had attended multiple Unification Church events in 2018 and delivered speeches, and even took a commemorative photo with Han Hak-ja’s autobiography, “Mother of Peace, Wiping Away Humanity’s Tears” in 2020.
The special prosecutor team led by Min Jung-ki secured testimony in August from Yoon Young-ho, former head of the Unification Church World Headquarters, claiming that the Unification Church supported politicians from the Democratic Party as well as the People Power Party. Yoon reportedly claimed to have provided Jeon with two luxury watches and millions of won between 2018 and 2020, as part of efforts to promote the church’s mission, such as the Korea-Japan undersea tunnel.
The special prosecutor team has transferred the investigation to the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters, deeming it outside the scope of the special prosecutor’s authority. A special task force within the Major Crimes Investigation Division has commenced an investigation. On the morning of January 15, search and seizure operations targeted Jeon, former Democratic Party lawmaker Im Jong-seong, and former United Future Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Kim Kyu-hwan.