Unification Church Issues Public Apology

Dec. 12 (Asia Today) - The Unification Church's South Korean affiliate issued a public video apology and pledged to remain politically neutral amid allegations that money and valuables were provided to lawmakers across party lines.

Song Yong-cheon, president of the Korean Association of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, said in a video released Thursday that he "deeply" apologized for causing public disappointment and concern.

Song said the organization "never had any plan or intention" at an institutional level to collude with political authorities or support a specific party for private benefit. He added that the group's mission is focused on harmony among families, society and humanity, rather than partisan politics.

At the same time, Song sought to separate the organization from allegations involving former World Headquarters Director Yoon Young-ho, describing the conduct raised in recent court testimony as an "individual deviation." However, he said the organization bears responsibility for failing to identify and prevent such actions.

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"We will take this incident as a lesson," Song said, adding that restoring public trust and integrity would become a top priority.

The group announced three reform steps: maintaining political neutrality, strengthening financial transparency and governance, and placing public interest and social responsibility at the center of its activities. It was the first public apology by the association's president since investigations began into alleged bribery linked to the group.

Yoon has been indicted and detained by a special counsel team led by Min Jung-ki on allegations that he delivered money and valuables to Kim Keon-hee -the wife of President Yoon Suk Yeol - while seeking favors related to the organization's interests, according to the report. Suspicion widened after Yoon testified in court that he also supported politicians affiliated with the opposition Democratic Party.

- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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