Official Statement on Recent Media Coverage

Transparency, democratic process, and facts: The Family Federation issues official response to newest misleading Korean media coverage

A statement issued by the South Korean headquarters of the Family Federation to the media on 18^th June 2026, in response to recent media reports. Translated from the text on the Korean language website of the Family Federation.

Official Statement of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Regarding Distorted Reports on the Launch of the Pastors’ Policy Advisory Committee

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The Korean chapter of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (hereinafter “the Korean Family Federation”) expresses its deep regret that recent media reports concerning the launch of the “Pastors’ Policy Advisory Committee” have been reported in a manner that differs from the facts through distortion and exaggeration. To promote accurate understanding, we hereby present the following objective facts.

1. Establishment of a Transparent, Institutionalized Decision-Making System and Ongoing Communication

Recent claims in some reports alleging that the Korean Family Federation engages in “unilateral decision-making” and lacks “internal communication” are entirely inconsistent with the facts. The Korean Family Federation is an organization whose management transparency has been officially recognized through its acquisition of the religious sector’s first ISO certification for anti-bribery and compliance management.

At present, under its highest decision-making body, the Central Committee, the Federation has established three internal advisory bodies – the Personnel Advisory Committee, Ethics Advisory Committee, and Pastors’ Policy Advisory Committee – to create a systematic decision-making process. In addition, it has institutionalized official weekly nationwide online meetings for pastors and maintains ongoing communication channels that regularly gather diverse opinions from the field, including nationwide church visits by the President of the Korean chapter six days a week.

2. Launch of the Advisory Committee Through Democratic Procedures

Reports claiming that the committee’s launch has faced strong opposition or controversy regarding its representativeness are also clearly distorted. Beginning with an announcement on 2^nd June, the Pastors’ Policy Advisory Committee officially confirmed regional and generational representative candidates through a nationwide online pastors’ meeting on 9^th June and fairly elected 13 representatives in various fields through a nationwide online vote on 16^th June.

All of these procedures were conducted transparently through democratic processes, and we clearly state that there was neither significant opposition nor any procedural defect.

3. Legal Contradictions in Claims of Frequent Amendments to the Internal Advisory Body’s Bylaws

The report’s claim that “the bylaws of an organization that has not even been launched keep being changed” is baseless and stems from a misunderstanding of the organization’s legal nature.

The “Pastors’ Policy Advisory Committee” is an internal advisory body within the religious organization that is preparing for official launch and is not an independent legal entity. Accordingly, the committee does not possess its own separate bylaws. Therefore, the assertion that non-existent bylaws have been repeatedly amended is a clear error that fails to verify even the most basic facts.

4. The Original Purpose and Authority of the “Pastoral Service Representative”

The title “National Representative of Pastors” mentioned in media reports does not exist in the official regulations. The correct title is “Pastoral Service Representative.”

Although some media articles repeatedly referred to the position as a service representative, describing it in headlines as the “National Representative of Pastors” was incorrect. This position was created during the National Assembly of Pastors on 7^th April solely for the purpose of reaching agreements and coordinating matters related to working hours. It is a temporary and limited role directly elected by frontline pastors.

Interpreting this position as if it were the representative of a policy body speaking on behalf of all pastors is entirely inconsistent with its original purpose and lacks any legal basis.

5. Mutual Confirmation and Communication Regarding the Scope of Authority

The claim that the service representative was not informed about the term of office and scope of authority is also contrary to the facts.

As noted above, when the representative was elected on 7^th April, the temporary nature of the position and its defined scope of authority were fully explained. Furthermore, immediately after the election, headquarters officials met directly with the representative to confirm and discuss these matters.

6. Warning Regarding Actions Exceeding Authorized Powers and Planned Follow-Up Measures

We reiterate that the “service representative” elected in April was entrusted only with limited authority concerning the adjustment of employment conditions.

Nevertheless, actions that claim external representative status on behalf of the entire religious organization and that use titles and designations not approved through official procedures are causing serious confusion in both internal and external communications.

Accordingly, the Korean Family Federation is currently conducting a thorough investigation into actions that exceed the authorized scope of the individuals concerned and plans to take appropriate follow-up measures to protect the organization’s sound order and reputation.

The Korean Family Federation respectfully requests that members of the media conduct thorough fact-checking and provide fair and balanced reporting based on an objective perspective.

The Federation further states that it will hold parties legally accountable, including for defamation, in cases of maliciously distorted reporting or the dissemination of false information in the future, and will respond firmly using all available means.

18^th June 2026

Korean Chapter of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification

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Featured image above: Illustration of FFWPU statement on recent misleading South Korean media coverage. Image: ChatGPT, June 2026

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