As a key figure in the Unification Church (Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) was sentenced to prison in a case over charges including violating the Political Funds Act, the Unification Church Korea Association announced "guidelines on political neutrality and election-related compliance."
The Unification Church Korea Association posted the guidelines on its website the same day, saying, "The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification safeguards the original mission of religion and maintains a clear distance from all political activities," and added, "Accordingly, we declare the following principles of political neutrality."
The guidelines presented by the Unification Church side are political neutrality principles, a ban on electioneering and political activities, a ban on private organizations and politically connected activities, a ban on election interference using one's official position, and a ban on the political use of the name and assets.
It also warned, "All legal responsibility arising from violations of the guidelines lies with the individual actor, and in the case of pastors and public officials, we state that they will be strictly disciplined without exception in accordance with internal regulations."
Earlier, former Unification Church World Headquarters chief Yun Young-ho was indicted and tried on charges including offering money and valuables while lobbying First Lady Kim Keon-hee and People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong on Unification Church pending issues. On the same day, Yun was sentenced to one year and six months in prison at his appeal trial.