President Lee Jae-myung instructed the government on the 30th to consider establishing a special investigation headquarters or a joint police–prosecutor task force to probe allegations of collusion between religion and politics involving the Unification Church and Shincheonji, even before the launch of a special prosecutor. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, President Lee said, “They can investigate and then hand the case over to a special prosecutor if necessary. Consider forming a special investigation unit or a joint task force between the police and prosecutors,” adding, “This does not seem like something we should simply wait on.”

With local elections about six months away and partisan conflict delaying the passage of a special prosecutor bill on the Unification Church, President Lee called for a swift, government-led response.

Lee: “The Investigation Into Church–State Collusion Has Been Far Too Slow”

At the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House that day, President Lee said, “Violations of constitutional principles, where religion directly intervenes in politics through bribery and collusion, are grave matters that threaten the future of democracy and the nation.” He added, “The issues involving the Unification Church and Shincheonji are topics I raised long ago, but I refrained from further comment because a special prosecutor was being discussed. It now appears that neither the police nor the prosecution are actively investigating. The situation has dragged on far too long.”

He continued, “Regardless of whether someone belongs to the ruling party or the opposition, and regardless of their position, the truth must be uncovered and accountability enforced if we are to prevent this from happening again.”

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, speaking before the president, remarked, “When we look closely at the path that led to insurrection, it is hard not to conclude that the accumulation of shamanistic politics and church–state collusion played a role in destabilizing governance. This is something that must be uprooted.” He added that while he viewed ongoing discussions in political circles about appointing a special prosecutor for the Unification Church, and possibly Shincheonji, as positive, the government should prepare for the possibility that such efforts might fail. “If necessary,” he said, “we should consider preparing a special investigation headquarters at the government level.”

President Lee had previously instructed reviews of possible dissolution measures after stating at Cabinet meetings on the 2nd and 9th that there were cases in which religious foundations had intervened in politics in an organized and systematic manner. On the 10th, he further ordered a rigorous investigation into allegations of illegal ties between specific religious groups and politicians, “regardless of party affiliation or rank.”

At a high-level ruling party–government consultation on the 21st, the ruling party accepted a demand for a special prosecutor on the Unification Church at the president’s suggestion the following day. However, disputes between the ruling and opposition parties over the method of appointing the special prosecutor and the scope of the investigation have stalled progress. As the local election season intensifies and the special prosecutor remains deadlocked, President Lee has now directly ordered a prompt government-led investigation.

Presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon explained at a briefing that day, “The president has reaffirmed the principle that allegations of religious–political collusion must be investigated thoroughly, without regard to party affiliation or status, to uncover the truth and assign responsibility.” He added, “Rather than passively waiting, the intent is for the government to do everything it can at this stage.”