Former Minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Chun Jae-soo appeared for police questioning on the 19th over allegations of receiving money and valuables from the Unification Church.
Former Minister Chun arrived in front of the Korean National Police Agency building in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, at about 9:53 a.m. that day. Before entering the interrogation room, former Minister Chun told reporters, "The world is noisy lately because of the Unification Church issue. I am deeply sorry to the public just for standing at the center of it."
Chun added, "They say I received 20 million won and a watch in return for lobbying for a Korea-Japan undersea tunnel. That is not true," and said, "An undersea tunnel would be selling out Busan's future."
Chun also said, "I lost three times and won on the fourth try in Busan, which is known as a political battleground. I endured a long period of patience," adding, "Does it make sense that I would trade that patience for 20 million won in cash and one watch? You should at least say 20 billion won in cash and 100 watches for there to be even minimal plausibility."
Former Minister Chun is accused of receiving 20 million won in cash and one Bulgari watch worth about 10 million won from the Unification Church around 2018 (taking bribes).
Police plan to investigate whether the money and valuables were intended as lobbying for projects long sought by the Unification Church, such as advancing a Korea-Japan undersea tunnel.
On the 15th, a special task force at the Korean National Police Agency raided and seized materials from former Minister Chun's home and Assembly office.