SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - The ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) remain at odds over the scope of a proposed probe by independent prosecutors into bribery allegations involving the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies.
Their talks were further bogged down by the DP's demand to include suspicions involving another dubious religious sect Shincheonji, despite the party's initial opposition to the probe.
DP leader Jung Chung-rae said earlier this week that the probe should cover Shincheonji, citing suspicious activities by the sect. He seemed to be referring to allegations that a large number of the sect's followers joined the PPP during the 2021 presidential primary to support a specific candidate.
He further pressed the PPP, saying that the DP had already drafted a bill to allow an independent third party to select prosecutors for the probe.
But the PPP criticized the DP for including Shincheonji's alleged involvement only while excluding DP-related allegations, calling it a "trick" to accept the probe in appearance, only to avoid it eventually.
PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk said that if there is enough evidence, allegations related to Shincheonji could be investigated without a special probe.
PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk said that allegations related to Shincheonji could be investigated without a special probe if there is enough evidence. However, he argued that allegations involving the Unification Church are a different matter, as independent prosecutors dismissed testimony implicating political figures from the DP in related incidents.
Jang urged the DP not to "water down" the issue in order to buy time and shift responsibility to the PPP. He has reportedly been considering hardline steps including a hunger strike if the two parties fail to reach a deal by Tuesday.
Their talks were further bogged down by the DP's demand to include suspicions involving another dubious religious sect Shincheonji, despite the party's initial opposition to the probe.
DP leader Jung Chung-rae said earlier this week that the probe should cover Shincheonji, citing suspicious activities by the sect. He seemed to be referring to allegations that a large number of the sect's followers joined the PPP during the 2021 presidential primary to support a specific candidate.
He further pressed the PPP, saying that the DP had already drafted a bill to allow an independent third party to select prosecutors for the probe.
But the PPP criticized the DP for including Shincheonji's alleged involvement only while excluding DP-related allegations, calling it a "trick" to accept the probe in appearance, only to avoid it eventually.
PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk said that if there is enough evidence, allegations related to Shincheonji could be investigated without a special probe.
PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk said that allegations related to Shincheonji could be investigated without a special probe if there is enough evidence. However, he argued that allegations involving the Unification Church are a different matter, as independent prosecutors dismissed testimony implicating political figures from the DP in related incidents.
Jang urged the DP not to "water down" the issue in order to buy time and shift responsibility to the PPP. He has reportedly been considering hardline steps including a hunger strike if the two parties fail to reach a deal by Tuesday.
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