Story perspectives

President Lee's Bribery Scandal Sparks Religious Freedom Debate

12/14/2025

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Center

Lee Jae-myung's Bribery Dilemma

President Lee Jae-myung faces a bribery scandal involving the Unification Church and weighs forcibly dissolving religious groups implicated in election interference.
The move raises concerns about the balance between state authority and religious freedom amid alleged illicit lobbying across major political parties.
Political commentator Choi Jin notes the historical significance, saying even past authoritarian leaders refrained from such measures.

Right

Han Hak-ja's Scandal

The Unification Church, led by Han Hak-ja, faces a South Korea scandal over alleged illicit lobbying and gift-giving.
The South Korean presidential office has mandated an investigation.
The controversy reopens debate about the church's entanglement with politics since its 1954 founding.
After Sun Myung Moon's death in 2012, internal strife weakened the church and pushed it to seek political influence.
Investigations indicate church leaders viewed electoral politics as leverage.

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Lee Jae-myung's Bribery Dilemma

President Lee Jae-myung faces a bribery scandal involving the Unification Church and weighs forcibly dissolving religious groups implicated in election interference.
The move raises concerns about the balance between state authority and religious freedom amid alleged illicit lobbying across major political parties.
Political commentator Choi Jin notes the historical significance, saying even past authoritarian leaders refrained from such measures.

1 / 2