On the 14th, People’s Power Floor Leader Song Eon-seok proposed the introduction of separate special investigations into the allegations of bribery involving the Unification Church and the special prosecutor Min Joong-ki.
During a press conference at the National Assembly, Song stated, “To establish judicial justice in South Korea, I officially propose the introduction of a special investigation into the Unification Church,” highlighting the issue with investigations being halted by power and justice being applied selectively.
He continued, “A ‘Unification Church Gate’ special investigation is essential to uncover the allegations of political funding involving the Democratic Party that have been suppressed by the Min Joong-ki special prosecutor,” and emphasized the unfolding suspicions of connections between key Democratic Party figures, the Lee Jae-myung administration, and the Unification Church.
Song described the investigation led by the Min Joong-ki special prosecutor as a “politically biased investigation” and argued for a special investigation into Min’s activities as well.
He criticized the Min Joong-ki special prosecutor as potentially being recorded as the worst since the introduction of the special prosecutor system in 1999, claiming it acted as a subordinate to the ruling party and became a tool for political retaliation and suppression of the opposition.
Moreover, Song pointed out that while the special prosecutor has infinitely expanded separate investigations against the opposition, it has not conducted summons investigations or search and seizure operations regarding the allegations of bribery involving the Democratic Party and Lee Jae-myung administration, allowing four months to pass. He called this a blatant politically biased investigation of “ruling party innocence and opposition guilt.”
Song also raised issues about the public official from Yangpyeong County who died by suicide while being investigated by the Min special prosecutor and the allegations of using undisclosed information for stock trading.
He highlighted a serious human rights violation resulting from coercive planned investigations and asserted that the special prosecutor should be immediately dismantled and transitioned to a subject of investigation.
Additionally, Song reiterated the call for a national investigation into the alleged pressure not to appeal in the Daejang-dong trial. He mentioned. “People’s Power has already submitted a plan for a national investigation into the pressure incident, but the Democratic Party, which initially suggested it, seems to have no intention of proceeding, citing excuses,” asserting the need to thoroughly investigate the process of forgoing the appeal, whether there was intervention from higher-ups in the Ministry of Justice, and the extent of any undue pressure.
When asked if lawmakers from his own party would be included in the draft special prosecutor law related to the Unification Church allegations, Song replied, “There are several individuals reported to have been involved in bribery, and it seems inevitable that the entire scope would have to be open for investigation.” Regarding negotiations on the special prosecutor law with the opposition, he expressed willingness to meet with the floor leaders of any party, including the Reformation Party or the JG Innovation Party, for discussions.