Capture of the relevant Chosun Ilbo article.

The Chosun Ilbo reported on the 18th (Korea Standard Time) that the U.S. Department of Justice has launched a preliminary investigation following a complaint alleging that the Korean American Public Action Committee (KAPAC), which has been pushing for the "Korean Peninsula Peace Act"—including an end-of-war declaration—in the U.S. Congress, has violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

The organization, led by Korean American businessman Choi Kwang-chul, has been accused of engaging in activities that effectively represent the interests of the South Korean government within the U.S. without registering as a "foreign agent" under FARA—a law that was in effect during the administration of former President Moon Jae-in, to whom Choi was a senior in the law department at Kyung Hee University.

The Chosun Ilbo reported that a similar complaint has also been filed with the FBI.

According to the newspaper, a complaint was submitted on the 13th to the Department of Justice, which oversees FARA, requesting an immediate investigation into the alleged violations. The complaint stated that "KAPAC, without registering as a foreign agent, has conducted political activities in the U.S. for the Lee Jae-myung administration in coordination with South Korean lawmakers and U.S. members of Congress."

On the 23rd of last month, KAPAC held an event related to the peace act in Congress, attended by Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Cho Jung-sik, Seo Young-kyo, and Kim Young-bae.

At the time, right-wing Korean American groups expressed concern that with the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, activities by KAPAC and other left-wing Korean American groups would intensify.

According to a report by NewDaily, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and left-wing civic groups participated in the "People’s Summit for Korea" held in New York from July 25 to 27, where they leveled harsh criticism against the United States.

KAPAC's event and the event held by these left-wing groups, who traveled from South Korea to the U.S., took place just two days apart. At that time, they held rallies in areas such as Times Square, calling for the withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea and autonomy on the Korean Peninsula, making remarks such as, "The U.S. military is an occupying force infringing upon South Korea's sovereignty."

The complaint filed with the Justice Department mentions that Choi was appointed as a special diplomatic and security advisor directly under then-candidate Lee Jae-myung’s presidential campaign last May, and that KAPAC collected donations from "persons residing outside the U.S." via PayPal and credit cards.

KAPAC has held numerous similar events to effectively push for the passage of the Korean Peninsula Peace Act in Congress and has lobbied lawmakers in an organized manner. Furthermore, the fact that they were pursuing the awarding of a medal to Representative Sherman by the Lee Jae-myung administration was cited as another reason for the allegations of FARA violations.

The Trump administration maintains a firm stance against anti-American activities openly conducted within the country. Regarding the pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests that swept through college campuses, the government has demanded that universities strengthen enforcement and has implemented hardline measures, such as revoking visas and deporting participating students.

Attention is also focused on how the Justice Department’s investigation into KAPAC might act as a variable in the bilateral summit between President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung scheduled for the 25th. Political insiders believe that the Trump side has secured sufficient leverage over Lee Jae-myung.

U.S. NNP = Chief Reporter Sung Ku Hong info@newsandpost.com