SEOUL — The special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki has filed an additional charge of Violation of the Political Parties Act against First Lady Kim Keon-hee, bringing the total number of charges against her to four. This latest indictment stems from the ongoing probe into the alleged mass enrollment of Unification Church members into the ruling People Power Party (PPP).

The special counsel's office announced the additional indictment of Ms. Kim, along with Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han Moon, former Chief Secretary Jeong, former World Headquarters Director Yun Young-ho, and monk Jeon Seong-bae (also known as 'Gun-jin Beopsa'), for the same violation.

Allegations of Political Bribery and Party Act Violation 

The core of the new charge is the allegation that Ms. Kim, in collusion with Jeon, promised the Unification Church—represented by Han and other officials—financial and policy support, as well as a proportional representation seat in the National Assembly reserved for the Unification Church. This promise was allegedly made in exchange for organizing the mass enrollment of Unification Church members into the PPP to support a candidate favored by Ms. Kim and former President Yoon Seok-yeol in the March 8, 2023, PPP leadership election.

The Political Parties Act explicitly prohibits compelling or organizing party membership without the individual's free will. The special counsel previously indicated Ms. Kim's involvement by stating that she, via Jeon, had requested the Unification Church to mobilize its members to join the PPP and support a specific candidate ahead of the convention.

Constitutional Concerns and Widening Criticism 

The additional charges against Ms. Kim and the Unification Church leadership have intensified public criticism, focusing on the potential violation of the constitutional principle of separation of religion and state (Article 20 of the Constitution). This principle, which mandates the political neutrality of religious organizations, is central to the growing controversy.

The opposition Democratic Party of Korea has been vocal, claiming the mass enrollment suspicion constitutes a breach of the separation principle and demanding the dissolution of the PPP. Conversely, the PPP has consistently denounced the special counsel's evidence collection methods, such as the seizure of party database records, as illegal.

Four Charges for the First Lady 

The additional indictment for violating the Political Parties Act is the fourth charge leveled against the First Lady. She was previously indicted on August 29 for:

- Violation of the Capital Markets Act (in connection with the Deutsch Motors stock price manipulation case).
- Violation of the Political Funds Act (related to alleged nomination interference in the Myung Tae-kyun Gate).
- Violation of the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Intermediary for Solicitation/Bribery) (in connection with alleged solicitations and bribery involving the Unification Church and Jeon Seong-bae).

The special counsel's investigation, which secured a list of 110,000 to 120,000 potential Unification Church members from the PPP's database, continues to track the financial trail and organizational activities linked to the alleged political manipulation. The Unification Church leader, Ms. Han, now faces a total of five charges, including the four non-Political Parties Act charges applied in October, such as political funds violation, embezzlement, and instruction of evidence destruction.

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