Interpretation of ‘Lee Chun-seok Incident’ as a Retaliatory Measure amid Moral Disputes
The Democratic Party of Korea submitted a disciplinary proposal to the National Assembly against Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, on the 8th. This action follows allegations that Kwon received large amounts of illegal political funds from a Unification Church executive, as reported by the media. There is also an interpretation that this submission is a countermeasure by the Democratic Party to regain the initiative, as they were being cornered in moral disputes over the “Lee Chun-seok’s stock under-the-table transaction allegations.”
Park Sang-hyuk, the Democratic Party’s chief communication officer, and Kim Hyun-jung, the party’s spokesperson, officially submitted the disciplinary proposal against Kwon, who is facing accusations regarding illegal political funds linked to the Unification Church, to the agenda department of the National Assembly in Seoul. Park met with reporters and stated, “Incidents are being uncovered where specific religious groups like Shincheonji and the Unification Church interfere in party politics, compromising democracy. There have been reports that Kwon accepted political funds from a Unification Church leader, and this clearly meets the grounds for disciplinary action as per the National Assembly Act, according to the Democratic Party’s perspective.”
It has been reported that the special prosecutor in charge of Kim Geon-hee’s case has secured evidence that Kwon received political funds from Yoon, a former director at the Unification Church deemed the “second-in-command.” There were also media reports the previous day indicating that Kwon’s camp attempted to contact the individual under investigation on the same day the special prosecutor summoned Yoon for questioning. Allegations have surfaced that Kwon’s staff accidentally called Yoon, attempting to establish communication, possibly to gain insight into the investigation. Kwon has denied any financial transactions or inappropriate relationships, dismissing the accusations as political manipulation.
All members of the Democratic Party’s floor leadership supported the disciplinary motion. Spokesperson Kim Hyun-jung emphasized that “Following the investigation of the Unification Church’s second-in-command, evidence has surfaced of communication between him and Rep. Kwon. This is not a minor issue as there are also suspicions it was linked to campaign funds for then-presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol.”
The National Assembly’s Ethics Special Committee has yet to be established due to disagreements between parties regarding its composition. Park stated, “There are several pending disciplinary issues, and there is strong public demand for their resolution. We strongly urge [People Power Party] cooperation on these matters.”
The Democratic Party has already taken criminal proceedings concerning Rep. Kwon’s allegations and is concurrently discussing expanding the scope of investigations through special prosecutor law amendments. Spokesperson Kim mentioned, “We are operating a task force for three major special prosecutors and will consider proposing a bill to expand the investigative scope if necessary.”
Some view the Democratic Party’s submission of a “disciplinary proposal against Kwon Seong-dong” as a countermove to the “Lee Chun-seok incident.” The Democratic Party appears to be striking back amid rising People’s Power Party criticisms over Lee Chun-seok’s alleged ethical issues.
The People’s Power Party has been trying to label the Lee Chun-seok incident as a “National Planning Commission Gate” and is expanding the issue. Song Eon-seok, the senior deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, called the Democratic Party’s attempt to expel an independent, formerly Democratic lawmaker, too late, equating it to “locking the barn after the horse has bolted” at a party meeting. The focus, he asserted, should be on revealing the full extent of the Lee Chun-seok gate’s national disruption rather than the lawmaker’s party affiliation. The People Power Party launched a party-led bill for a special prosecutor investigation and is urging a comprehensive probe into under-the-table transactions by the National Planning Commission, Presidential Office, and National Assembly members.