Special Prosecutors Closing In on People Power Party...Party's Existence at Stake if Charges Are Proven

Kim Keonhee and Insurrection Special Prosecutors Target
Alleged Mass Registration of Unification Church Members
Suspected Election Interference to Secure Kwon Seongdong's Leadership
Focusing on Obstruction of Martial Law Lift Vote

The Special Investigation into Insurrection (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok) and the Special Investigation into Kim Keonhee (led by Special Prosecutor Min Jungki) are zeroing in on suspicions of interference in the 12·3 Martial Law Lift Vote and allegations that Unification Church members were mobilized during the People Power Party's election process. If the charges targeted by the special prosecutors are substantiated, observers predict scenarios that could shake the very foundation of the People Power Party, including a petition for the dissolution of an unconstitutional political party and demands for the return of election expenses.

① Unification Church Party Membership List Search and Seizure = According to legal sources on August 18, the Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor is expected to make another attempt this week to conduct a search and seizure at the People Power Party's central office to compare the list of 1.2 million Unification Church members with the party's membership roster. This follows evidence that membership applications from Unification Church followers, submitted through the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), an affiliate of the church, were delivered to the People Power Party. The special prosecutor suspects that, before and after the 20th presidential election, a large number of Unification Church members were registered as party members to help former President Yoon win the primary, and later to secure the election of Kwon Seongdong, a pro-Yoon lawmaker, as party leader. If these suspicions are proven true, the People Power Party could face charges of violating the Political Parties Act.

② Interference in Martial Law Lift Vote and Evidence Destruction = The Insurrection Special Prosecutor is investigating the People Power Party leadership's response immediately after the declaration of emergency martial law. The investigation is tracking how former floor leader Chu Kyungho, after speaking in succession with former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and former Senior Secretary Hong Cheolho, changed the location of the parliamentary caucus four times, resulting in many lawmakers being unable to participate in the National Assembly vote. Only 18 lawmakers attended the vote on the resolution to demand the lifting of martial law on that day. The special prosecutor is also investigating whether former President Yoon Sukyeol was contacted, the content of any such calls, and the circumstances surrounding the deletion of two months' worth of Telegram messages between party leaders and lawmakers. Charges of conspiracy to commit insurrection and destruction of evidence may apply.

③ 'Yangjaedong Secret Camp' Public Official Election Act Violation Allegations = The so-called 'Yangjaedong Secret Camp' allegations involving Geonjin Bopsa, which have been circulating behind the scenes, are also directly targeting the People Power Party. There are suspicions that Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Bopsa, established a presidential campaign office at Seohee Construction during the 20th presidential election without registering it with the National Election Commission. If this office, which was reportedly operated even before former President Yoon registered as a preliminary candidate, was indeed used as a campaign base, it would constitute a violation of the Public Official Election Act's requirement to report campaign offices. If this allegation is confirmed during the investigation and a guilty verdict is finalized in court, the party could be ordered to return the entire 44 billion won in presidential election expenses.

These three lines of suspicion each represent different types of legal violations, but if the charges are confirmed, the repercussions could be significant, potentially undermining the very foundation of party democracy. In particular, if former President Yoon is found guilty in the first trial as the ringleader of insurrection, there is a possibility that the People Power Party could follow the precedent of the Unified Progressive Party, which was dissolved after Lee Seokki's Supreme Court conviction for inciting insurrection. The scope of legal violations proven and the degree of party involvement will vary by case. The verdict in the first trial for insurrection is expected early next year, and the results of the special prosecutor's investigations and indictments are likely to form the basis for any future petition to dissolve the party as unconstitutional.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.