Peace Ambassador Program Is Civic, Not Political

In response to media allegations of political involvement, South Korean Peace Ambassador Council issues statement on political neutrality of its civic peace program

A statement issued by the Family Federation in South Korea to the media on 3^rd January 2026. Translated from the text on the Korean language website of the Family Federation.

Rebuttal to the 2^nd January 2026 JoongAng Ilbo Report: “Are Unification Church Peace Ambassadors Political Ambassadors? Some Even Served as General Election Campaign Headquarters Chiefs”

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With regard to the JoongAng Ilbo report dated 2^nd January 2026, titled “Are Unification Church Peace Ambassadors Political Ambassadors? Some Even Served as General Election Campaign Headquarters Chiefs,” the Peace Ambassadors Council hereby provides the following explanation of the facts and respectfully requests that members of the press refer to this statement when producing balanced and accurate coverage.

First, Peace Ambassadors are not positions for political activity or political intervention.

The Peace Ambassador program is not a system of “political ambassadors”, but rather a symbolic role within a civic peace movement.

Peace Ambassadors are appointed as non-standing, unpaid, honorary positions from among regional opinion leaders who have practiced public service and social responsibility across various sectors, including politics, business, academia, the media, religion, and civil society. The purpose of the program is to form a network for a civic peace movement that promotes the values of peace, service, and sharing beyond nationality, ideology, and religion. Peace Ambassadors have served as partners in civic peace efforts by practicing a life of service within their local communities. Defining this role as a tool for political collusion or the pursuit of vested interests disparages decades of voluntary peace activities carried out within civil society.

Second, linking individual Peace Ambassadors’ personal political activities to organizational political involvement is a distortion of the facts.

Even if an individual appointed as a Peace Ambassador participated in political activities or an election campaign in a personal capacity, such actions represent that individual’s own judgment and conduct. There has been no instance in which the organization instructed, directed, or was systematically involved in such activities. The Peace Ambassadors Council clearly states that it has never, at the organizational level, supported, assisted, or intervened in favor of any specific political party, politician, or election.

Third, the Peace Ambassadors Council is a purely civilian peace NGO that has consistently adhered to the principle of political neutrality.

The Peace Ambassadors Council has carried out civic-level peace initiatives centered on public issues such as peace on the Korean Peninsula, international cooperation, environmental concerns, and family values. Instances in which political figures attended public events hosted by the Peace Ambassadors Council to deliver congratulatory remarks or participate in discussions fall within the normal scope of civil society activities in which private organizations provide forums for public discourse.

Fourth, reporting that links the Peace Ambassador program to political donations or illegal lobbying is deeply regrettable.

The Peace Ambassadors Council has never approved or condoned any organized activity that violates political fundraising laws. Claims that Peace Ambassadors were used as conduits for political donations seriously distort the organization’s official structure and operating principles. We also express deep concern over the amplification and repetition of speculative reporting that is inconsistent with the facts.

The Peace Ambassadors Council will continue to firmly uphold the principles of political neutrality and transparency, grounded in the conscience of citizens and the trust of the international community, and will steadfastly fulfill its mission as a responsible civil society organization.

We further request that, in carrying out its essential role of public-interest criticism and oversight, the media adopt a more cautious and balanced approach when reporting on matters that generalize individual cases or distort the essential character of an organization.

2^nd January 2026

Peace Ambassadors Council
Universal Peace Federation (UPF)
External Relations Headquarters,
Korean Branch of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification

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Featured image above: The peace ambassadors initiative. Illustration: Grok xAI, 3rd january 2026

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