Democratic Party’s Assault on Family Federation

In South Korea, the ruling Democratic Party appears to be waging an all-out campaign to discredit and dismantle the Family Federation

The South Korean daily Segye Ilbo published on 16^th October 2025 an article which in English would be headlined “Relentless Assault on the Family Federation – The True Face of Politics That Has Lost Fairness” [Religious Column]”. The piece was written by Religious Affairs Reporter Jeong Seong-su (정성수).

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According to Jeong, in South Korea, the ruling Democratic Party appears to be waging an all-out campaign to discredit and dismantle the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) – formerly known as the Unification Church – and its affiliated organizations. To many observers, the attacks seem less about accountability and more about political theater, exposing a troubling erosion of fairness in Korean politics.

At the center of the controversy is an 82-year-old woman suffering from heart disease, the Federation’s president, who is currently in detention. Despite her condition, the authorities and certain lawmakers have intensified scrutiny not only on the Family Federation itself but also on its partner institutions, such as the Korea Religions Association and Sun Moon University, which the Federation founded. The tone of this pursuit has raised concerns about bias and disproportionate pressure against a single religious community.

A Disputed Financial Controversy

The Segye Ilbo article reports that Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Eul-ho (정을호) during a parliamentary audit of the Education Committee on 14^th October, claimed that the Ministry of Education’s financial support for Sun Moon University had “soared” from 11.7 billion won in 2020 to 25.8 billion won in 2024 – more than doubling in just four years. The lawmaker accused the Family Federation of having “extended its tentacles into the education sector under the Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열) administration.”

The remark quickly made headlines. Many Korean media outlets repeated the claim with little to no verification, fueling suspicions that the university’s growth was the result of political favoritism or religious influence.

The Segye Ilbo describes how Sun Moon University responded immediately with a rebuttal. The increase in funding, it explained, was part of a nationwide policy to expand financial support for universities – not a case of special treatment. Nearby institutions received similar boosts: one saw a 172% rise, another 212%, and others well over 170%. The data, in other words, reflected a general trend.

Yet by the time the facts emerged, the damage to public perception was done. The narrative that Sun Moon University – and by extension, the Family Federation – was “corrupt” or “improperly connected” had already spread. Some outlets even used sensational headlines suggesting collusion between the Federation and President Yoon, further amplifying the controversy.

Fact-Checking Fails in Parliament

Religious Affairs Reporter Jeong Seong-su portrays how the attacks did not end there. Another Democratic Party lawmaker, Moon Jeong-bok (문정복), brought up the Korean Religious Development Forum, alleging that former leaders of the Korea Religions Association – an organization historically linked to the Family Federation – had joined the forum in an attempt to “control” it.

Her assertion, however, was factually incorrect. The forum was actually founded in 2019 by Professor Park Jae-gap (박재갑), a respected cancer researcher and former professor at Seoul National University. The organization’s purpose is academic and interfaith in nature, not political. It is unclear whether Rep. Moon conducted any factual checks before making her claims.

According to the Segye Ilbo, Moon went on to allege that the Family Federation was using the forum, its network, and other individuals to build connections with former First Lady Kim Keon-hee (김건희). In doing so, she presented a diagram displaying names and even photographs of journalists, professors, and forum members – visually resembling a “suspect chart”. Although she admitted that “the forum itself is sound,” her presentation nevertheless painted it as a hub of conspiracy, casting unwarranted suspicion on innocent participants.

The Forum’s True Nature

In reality, the Korean Religious Development Forum (종교발전포럼) has long been regarded as an open platform for interfaith dialogue. A Kyunghyang Shinmun article from June 2014 described the forum as “open to all religions”, featuring speakers from Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, Won-Buddhism, Confucianism, Donghak, Shamanism, Islam, the Family Federation, and even Western philosophy.

The Segye Ilbo report includes Professor Park quoted as saying: “Religions may appear different, but ultimately they walk the same path. There are no bad religions – only extremists who distort them.”

Indeed, journalists from The Hankyoreh and JoongAng Ilbo, two of Korea’s major newspapers, have given lectures there. Religious Affairs Reporter Jeong describes himself as someone who has attended several sessions for reporting purposes. He says he can attest that the forum was never an instrument for religious influence or political control. It functioned simply as a place for dialogue and coexistence among faiths.

Nevertheless, through careless remarks and misleading insinuations, lawmakers have unfairly tarnished the reputations of countless individuals who have participated in good faith.

Beyond Politics: A Question of Fairness

The deeper question is why the Democratic Party continues to single out the Family Federation with such intensity. The organization, regardless of its past controversies, has also contributed to international peace efforts, education, and humanitarian work. Many of its members are ordinary citizens – South Korean taxpayers – some of whom may even support the Democratic Party itself.

In any democratic society, religions have both the right and the responsibility to cooperate with the government for national stability and prosperity. Patriotism and faith, while distinct, often align in their pursuit of societal harmony. To depict such cooperation as political collusion risks undermining religious freedom and civic fairness alike.

What began as political oversight now resembles a campaign of vilification – one that blurs the line between legitimate investigation and persecution. The language used by some lawmakers, and echoed uncritically by segments of the media, has created a moral panic that obscures truth and fuels prejudice.

The Need for Balance

Segye Ilbo writes that ultimately, the issue is not about defending one religion over another. It is about maintaining fairness, due process, and respect for human rights – principles essential to a functioning democracy. When political power is wielded selectively against a specific faith group, it damages public trust and weakens the very institutions meant to uphold justice.

The Family Federation’s members are now enduring profound emotional and social hardship. They are citizens of this nation, entitled to the same dignity and legal protection as anyone else. If Korea’s political leaders continue to sacrifice impartiality for the sake of political advantage, they risk losing credibility not only with religious communities but with the broader public as well.

In the end, the question remains: Is the Democratic Party genuinely pursuing truth – or simply targeting a convenient enemy? The answer may determine not just the fate of one religious organization, but the integrity of South Korea’s democratic values themselves.

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Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Elderly woman in wheelchair attacked by fierce red dragon. Illustration: Microsoft Designer Image Creator, October 2025.

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