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Key Points

A South Korean special counsel left the PPP headquarters empty-handed after attempting to secure membership records. The probe relates to alleged bribery involving ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee and Unification Church ties. Investigators wanted to cross-check PPP sign-ups with church membership lists. The PPP strongly resisted the search, complicating the ongoing investigation.

Key Points: South Korea Special Counsel Fails to Get PPP List in Kim Keon Hee Probe

  • Special counsel sought PPP membership list for bribery probe
  • Alleged Unification Church links to ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee
  • PPP refused to comply with search warrant
  • Probe centers on 2023 leadership race manipulation claims
2 min read

South Korea: Special counsel fails to secure PPP membership list in raid over ex-first lady's bribery allegations

Special counsel leaves PPP HQ empty-handed amid bribery probe linked to ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee and Unification Church allegations.

"The team sought the roster to compare it with Unification Church members to confirm mass sign-up claims. – Special Counsel Press Notice"

Seoul, Aug 14

A special counsel team in South Korea left the main opposition People Power Party's (PPP) headquarters empty-handed on Thursday, after attempting to secure its membership list as part of an investigation into bribery allegations surrounding former first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team has been looking into allegations that a shaman linked to Kim and a key Unification Church official tried to get church members to join the party en masse to influence the results of the PPP's leadership race in 2023.

After attempting to carry out a search-and-seizure against the PPP's headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday, the team's investigators withdrew early the next morning due to strong refusal from the party, the team said in a press notice.

It said it had sought the PPP to voluntarily submit a roster of its members over a certain period of time, while denying that it had demanded the party's entire membership list.

The team appears to have sought to secure the roster to compare it with a list of Unification Church members to confirm the allegations about the mass sign-ups to the party.

The warrant reportedly detailed the need to check the party's membership list to confirm allegations of violations of the Political Funds Act and acceptance of bribes for mediation, reports Yonhap news agency.

The shaman, named Jeon Seong-bae, and the church official, surnamed Yoon, allegedly exchanged texts about then-President Yoon Suk Yeol's support for Rep. Kweon Seong-dong ahead of the party election in March 2023.

Kweon, who ultimately did not take part in the race, has denied receiving any political funds from the Unification Church. The church has also denied making any illegal donations to any specific individual.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting case! In India we have similar issues with religious organizations getting involved in politics. The Unification Church is quite controversial globally. Wonder if our Election Commission could learn something from how South Korea is handling this investigation.
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Rohit P
The involvement of a shaman in political matters is shocking! 😮 In India we have godmen influencing politics too, but at least they don't hide it. This secret manipulation is worse. Shows how power corrupts everywhere.
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Sarah B
While the allegations are serious, I'm concerned about the special counsel's methods. Raiding opposition headquarters sets a bad precedent. India has seen how political investigations can be weaponized. Due process must be followed carefully.
K
Kavya N
The Unification Church's involvement reminds me of how some religious groups try to influence Indian elections. We need stronger laws against such interference. Maybe South Korea's experience can teach us something about handling these situations.
M
Michael C
As an expat in India, I find the cultural parallels fascinating. The mix of spiritual figures and political power seems common in Asian democracies. But this case shows how dangerous it can get when it's done secretly rather than openly.
D
Divya L
The article doesn't mention - was the former first lady actually involved or just connected through associates? Media should be careful before

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