The Democratic Party of Korea on the 22nd said it would introduce a special prosecutor to investigate allegations that the Unification Church provided money and valuables to political figures. The Democratic Party, which had drawn a line under the opposition's "Unification Church special counsel" proposal by saying "we should watch the investigation process," shifted its stance by abruptly accepting a special counsel. The party plans to push this separately from a "second comprehensive special counsel" to additionally address shortcomings in the three special counsels (insurrection, Kim Keon-hee, Chae Hae-byeong).
Party leader Jung Chung-rae, at the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that day, said of the "Unification Church special counsel," "There is nothing we cannot accept," adding, "I think it is good to include all those connected to the People Power Party and lay out the truth clearly."
Floor leader Kim Byung-kee also said, "Let's conduct a special counsel on the Unification Church," and proposed, "Include everyone without exception, whether ruling or opposition politicians, in the special counsel."
Kim, the floor leader, said, "The People Power Party has continuously faced suspicions of collusion with certain religious groups such as the Unification Church and Shincheonji," adding, "Even so, the Democratic Party has so far exercised restraint while urging that, since an investigation has begun, the matter be handled strictly. But it seems the People Power Party is under some illusion. Believing the Democratic Party is avoiding a special counsel because it has something to hide, it is taking the lead in calling for a Unification Church special counsel."
He added, "Perhaps, inwardly, they are convinced the Democratic Party will not accept a special counsel. They seem to have mistaken the Democratic Party's patience for evasion."
He went on, "Let's also find out how the Unification Church intervened in politics in the last presidential election," adding, "I propose that we include in the special counsel all suspicions of unconstitutional collusion between religion and politics, illegal political money lobbying, and influence peddling, and get to the bottom of it."
He continued, "Collusion between religion and politics is a grave matter directly tied to the constitutional order. A party that violates it can face dissolution, and those involved will not escape heavy punishment," adding, "Whether it is a violation of the Constitution or the Criminal Act, let's root it out without sanctuary."
Until the 21st, the day before, the Democratic Party had said it could not accept the opposition's "Unification Church special counsel" proposal. Chief spokesperson Park Soo-hyun told reporters, "So far, it lacks the clarity needed to agree to a special counsel," adding, "At this stage, it is not a situation in which we can accept a special counsel."
But the party reversed its position in just one day. As suspicions grow that the Unification Church provided money and valuables across the political establishment, it appears the judgment was that continuing to reject a special counsel could lead to worsening public opinion.
After the Supreme Council meeting, Chief spokesperson Park met with reporters and said, "It may look like a sudden acceptance, but leader Jung and the party have closely followed the flow of public sentiment," adding, "We acted in a way that accepts public sentiment."
The party said it also coordinated closely with the presidential office regarding acceptance of a special counsel. Chief spokesperson Park added, "On this issue, the party leader and the floor leader have been coordinating closely in light of the flow of public sentiment and polling results," and said, "The president also said to conduct a thorough probe regardless of ruling or opposition parties, so this was coordinated with the presidential office as well."
A political judgment that the fallout from allegations that ruling bloc figures received money and valuables from the Unification Church would not be significant also appears to have played a role. When asked whether the decision to accept a special counsel reflected a view that the core suspicions did not involve ruling bloc figures, Chief spokesperson Park said, "That is not a factor," but added, "Even though the suspicions involving the People Power Party are a bigger core, it is not desirable that misunderstandings pile up as if only the Democratic Party is heavily involved. One can make that political judgment."
The Democratic Party said it will discuss the nomination authority, which will be the biggest sticking point for a special counsel, during future talks between the ruling and opposition parties. The People Power Party and the Reform Party are demanding that the Supreme Court and the National Court Administration recommend two candidates for the "Unification Church special counsel," and that the president appoint one of them.