Korean Media Allegations: Clarifying the Facts

Korean Family Federation publishes statement refuting media allegations: Rebuttal to a Sisa Journal report and clarification of the facts

A statement issued by the South Korean headquarters of the Family Federation to the media on 5^th June 2026, in response to a report in the weekly current affairs magazine Sisa Journal (시사저널). Translated from the text on the Korean language website of the Family Federation.

Response and Factual Clarifications by the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Regarding the Sisa Journal Article (29^th May 2026)

The Korean chapter of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (hereinafter “the Korean Family Federation“) expresses regret that significant portions of the 29^th May 2026, Sisa Journal article titled “‘Drug-Gate Funds Shared’ in Unificationism Internal Documents… Signs of Involvement by Senior Paraguayan Officials” were reported through distorted and exaggerated interpretations that differ from the facts.

See also Burden of Successor: Founders and Their Heirs

Accordingly, the Korean Family Federation presents below the clear facts and legal grounds concerning the major allegations raised in the article.

1. The Chaco property where the drug airstrip was discovered is being occupied without authorization by the UCI side; there is no evidence that Family Federation personnel were involved, and the Federation itself proactively requested a drug investigation.

Allegation in the article

The property of Unificationism (통일교) was allegedly used for drug-related crimes.

Facts and Legal Basis

• Illegal occupation of the property:
  The land in question (the Chaco property in Paraguay) is indeed owned by the South American Family Federation. However, it had previously been leased to Victoria S.A., a corporation affiliated with UCI (the side associated with the third son, Moon Hyun-jin), for the period from 1^st March 2001, to 1^st March 2021. Although the lease has officially expired, the UCI side is allegedly continuing to occupy the property unlawfully without authorization.
• Proactive request for investigation by the Family Federation:
  The Family Federation states that it was the first to detect suspicious illegal activity on the airstrip located on the property. On 5^th April 2022, it formally filed a criminal complaint with Paraguay’s anti-drug agency (SENAD) and the specialized anti-drug prosecutor’s office, requesting an investigation. The Federation argues that it was not involved in criminal activity but was instead among the most active parties cooperating in efforts to combat drug trafficking.
• Objective reporting by Reuters:
  According to a Reuters report dated 10^th August 2023, Reuters found no evidence that Unificationism (통일교) or its members were involved in the drug-smuggling activities targeted by the operation. Reuters also reported that it found no evidence that Unificationism (통일교) controlled the airstrip in the Chaco region, which Paraguayan authorities have described as a lawless area.

Supporting Document 1: Copy of the complaint filed with Paraguay’s anti-drug agency and specialized anti-drug prosecutor’s office. [See original Korean article]

2. Allegations that Family Federation leaders shared drug money were concluded with a final finding of no wrongdoing by Paraguayan judicial authorities in March 2024.

Allegation in the article

Religious leaders were allegedly involved in laundering drug money connected to former congresswoman Cynthia Tarragó.

Facts and Legal Basis

• Malicious defamation and orchestrated accusation:
  The Federation asserts that these allegations stem from a false complaint maliciously organized by an individual affiliated with the UCI side, which is allegedly occupying Family Federation property unlawfully, with the purpose of defaming regional leaders in South America.
• Final dismissal by judicial authorities:
  According to the Federation, after a thorough investigation, the 7^th Court of Guarantees of Paraguay (decision dated 14^th March 2024) and the First Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Money Laundering in Asunción concluded that former regional leader Seo [given name withheld], national president E. [name withheld], and attorney Mi [name withheld], and other Family Federation leaders had no connection whatsoever to the money-laundering case and that there was not a single piece of evidence supporting criminal charges. The matter was therefore dismissed and closed with a finding of no wrongdoing.

Supporting Document 2: Copy of the Paraguayan court and prosecutorial decisions dismissing all allegations against Family Federation personnel (non-prosecution and dismissal). [See original Korean article]

3. Former Congresswoman Cynthia Tarragó is not the “South American Representative of Unificationism.”

Allegation in the article

A subheading referred to her as the “South American representative of Unificationism (통일교) caught in an FBI undercover operation.”

Facts and Basis

• Not recognized as an official representative:
  The official title corresponding to the Family Federation‘s representative in South America is the position of South America Continental Chair, a formal clerical office.
• Only held an honorary service position:
  Former Congresswoman Cynthia Tarragó was neither a public official nor a clergy member of the Family Federation. The Federation states that she merely served in an honorary volunteer capacity as the South American chair of the Inter-Parliamentarians Association for Peace, one of many peace-related affiliated organizations. Reporting her as though she were the official external representative of the religious organization is described as a clear distortion of the facts.

4. Allegations that attorney Caballero sought the replacement of a prosecutor unfavorable to Unificationism are entirely unrelated to the Family Federation.

Allegation in the article

The Family Federation’s chief Paraguayan attorney allegedly colluded with judicial authorities to replace a prosecutor unfavorable to the legal interests of Unificationism (통일교).

Facts and Legal Basis

• A completely unrelated case:
  The Federation states that the matter had no connection whatsoever to the Family Federation. Rather, it concerned a so-called wiretapping case related to the Electrofácil fraud scheme case, which attorney Caballero was handling independently in a separate legal engagement.
• No mention of the Family Federation in court rulings:
  According to the Federation, neither the trial court decision, appellate decision, nor Supreme Court ruling in Paraguay contains a single reference to “Unificationism” or the “Family Federation“. The organization categorically denies any collusion with judicial authorities or any involvement in illegal lobbying or influence efforts.

Supporting Document 3: Copies of the first-instance, appellate, and Supreme Court judgments involving attorney Caballero. [See original Korean article]

Conclusion and Statement

The Korean Family Federation contends that the Sisa Journal article ignored clear and objective facts – including official rulings by Paraguayan judicial authorities (such as dismissals and findings of no wrongdoing) and records showing that the Federation itself initiated criminal complaints – and instead relied primarily on distorted allegations, resulting in a biased report.

The Federation states that such reporting seriously damages its reputation and credibility. It urges members of the media to conduct thorough fact-checking and to pursue fair and objective reporting based on balanced perspectives. The organization further states that it intends to take all necessary measures, including legal action, against future reports that it considers factually inaccurate or distorted.

Thank you.

5^th June 2026

Korean Chapter of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification
(In Korea known as Unificationism – 통일교)

See also Burden of Successor: Founders and Their Heirs

Featured image above: An airstrip in the Chaco Region of Paraguay. Illustration: Grok xAI, 6^th June 2026.

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