Opposition parties push for independent probe into Unification Church scandal

Song Eon-seok and Cheon Ha-ram meet to push a special prosecutor probe into the so-called 'Unification Church gate.' — The main opposition People Power Party (PPP)'s floor leaders Song Eon-seok (left) shakes hands with the minor centrist Reform Party (RP)'s floor leader Cheon Ha-ram at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on Dec. 17, 2025. Yonhap

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is working together with the minor centrist Reform Party (RP) to push for a probe by independent prosecutors into bribery allegations involving the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies.

After a meeting between the two parties' floor leaders Song Eon-seok and Cheon Ha-ram on Wednesday, they agreed to proceed with it as early as this week, although they need to resolve some differences including the scope of the probe.

The development comes amid a snowballing scandal involving the church’s leader Han Hak-ja who allegedly bribed a slew of government officials and politicians from both the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and opposition parties.

But a bill for the probe would face an uphill battle in the National Assembly, where the DP holds a majority of seats and has firmly opposed it.

Meanwhile, the widow of the church's founder, Moon Sun-myung, has been held in a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province since September on various corruption charges including bribery and embezzlement.

Park Hee-won heewonb@ajunews.com