Jang Dong-hyuk, the People Power Party leader, is giving a speech at the awarding ceremony and the first general meeting of the Labor Committee held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Yonhap News

The People Power Party criticized on the 9th that President Lee Jae-myung's mention of dissolving religious groups involved in illegal acts such as political interference during a cabinet meeting was an "attempt to cover up the truth with state power, a 'gag order'."

In a Facebook post on the same day, leader Jang Dong-hyuk stated, "President Lee turned the cabinet meeting, which should have been busy discussing livelihood issues, into a 'religious persecution discussion'." He argued, "As unfavorable testimonies poured out against the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party, he openly threatened them, saying, 'If you speak more, I will exterminate you.'"

Citing media reports that the Unification Church provided financial support to Democratic Party officials, Jang pointed out, "President Lee accused them of 'political interference and engaging in strange acts with illegal funds,' but the beneficiaries of those 'strange acts' were precisely the people of this administration and the Democratic Party."

He added, "If the Unification Church must be dissolved, then the Democratic Party should also be dissolved. President Lee is trying to suppress religion and silence the public with presidential authority, but no matter how much you cover up filth, you cannot block its smell."

Choi Bo-yoon, the senior spokesperson, stated in a commentary, "The act of repeatedly resorting to the extreme card of dissolving religious groups at a cabinet meeting is a shameless attempt to silence and cover up the truth of the alleged collusion between the Democratic Party and the Unification Church with power."

He urged, "President Lee must immediately cease his blatant public threats and obstruction of justice, and clearly explain to the public the allegations of collusion between the Democratic Party and the Unification Church." He emphasized, "The People Power Party will work to thoroughly investigate the allegations of financial impropriety by Democratic Party officials and uncover the truth."

President Lee had stated at the cabinet meeting on the same day, "Individuals are subject to sanctions if they commit crimes and engage in anti-social acts. Likewise, if a legal entity, whether it be an incorporated association or a foundation, engages in acts that violate the Constitution and laws and are criticized, it should be dissolved."