천주평화연합(UPF) 김석진 한국회장은 2월11일 조직 운영 관련 입장문을 발표했다. 이 입장문에서 “최근 일부 언론에서 보도된 "쪼개기 후원 '통일교 UPF' 자체해산 수순"이란 제목의 보도는 사실과 다릅니다. UPF 입장문을 통해 국민 여러분께 심려를 끼쳐드린 점에 대해 깊이 사과드립니다. 이번 사태를 계기로 조직 운영 전반을 근본적으로 점검하고, 내부 규정 및 통제 시스템의 전면 재정비를 추진하고 있습니다. 앞으로 책임 있는 시민사회 단체로서 국민 신뢰 회복을 위해 모든 노력을 다하겠습니다.”고 피력했다.
이 입장문에서 “천주평화연합 한국본부는 유엔이 인정한 국제 평화NGO의 한국지부입니다. 그간 평화․통일․가정․환경이라는 보편적 가치를 중심으로 국제 시민사회 활동을 전개해 왔습니다. 2018 평창 동계올림픽 지원, 북핵 문제 해결을 위한 국제 협력 등 그동안 수행해 온 모든 활동은 특정 주체의 이익이 아닌 '공익과 인류 평화'를 최우선 가치로 삼아온 결과입니다. 아울러 일부 보도에서 언급된 한일해저터널 구상, 제5유엔사무국 유치 운동 등 그간 제시해 온 여러 제안은 한반도 평화와 동북아 협력, 국제사회 기여라는 공공적 목적에서 출발한 민간 차원의 비전이었습니다.”고 발히고 “평화 행사는 각계 지도자들의 경륜을 결집하는 '공개된 플랫폼'입니다. 각계 지도자들의 행사 참여는 국경과 종교, 정파를 초월하여 인류 평화의 담론을 형성하기 위한 '보편적 평화 연대'의 과정입니다. 결코 특정 정치 세력을 지지하기 위함이 아닙니다. UPF는 경제․사회․정치․문화 등 사회 각계 지도층이 가진 경륜을 인류 평화에 기여하도록 독려하는 공개적인 '평화의 플랫폼'을 제공해 왔을 뿐입니다”고 강조했다.
또한 “평화를 위한 순수한 열망이 왜곡되지 않기를 바랍니다. 우선, 평화와 통일을 주제로 한 UPF의 공적 행사에 참여해 주신 시민 여러분께 본의 아니게 불편과 곤란을 드리게 되어 송구한 마음을 전합니다. 공개된 장소에서 이루어진 사회 각계 지도자의 참석과 축사는 또한 여타 종교 행사나 시민사회 단체와 다르지 않습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고, 관련 법령과 사회적 기준에 부합하지 않는 방식의 자금 사용이 있었던 사실이 확인되었습니다. 이번 사안을 계기로 그러한 활동 전반에 대해 사회적 기대와 책임의 무게를 다시 한 번 깊이 성찰하고 있습니다.”면서 “이번 사태를 조직 운영 전반을 근본적으로 점검하는 계기로 삼고, 내부 규정 및 통제 시스템의 전면 재정비를 즉각 추진하겠습니다. 지난 1월 14일 광역시도회장단 회의를 통해 전면쇄신을 논의했으며 조직의 기능과 역할을 재정비하고 있습니다”고 덧불였다. 아래는 이 입장문의 전문이다.
“천주평화연합(UPF) 입장문<전문>
국제평화 NGO의 한국 지부로 시민사회 활동을 전개해 온 저희 천주평화연합은 최근 일부 언론 보도와 수사 과정에서 정치자금 후원과 관련된 사안으로 거론되며 국민 여러분께 심려를 끼쳐드린 점에 대해 깊이 사과드립니다.
공적 신뢰가 무엇보다 중요한 시점에서 이러한 논란이 발생한 데 대해, 민간 평화단체로서 무거운 책임감을 느끼고 있습니다. 다만 저희의 활동과 관련한 오해와 억측에 대해선 정확한 사실관계를 알려드리고자 다음과 같이 말씀드립니다.
1. 천주평화연합 한국본부는 유엔이 인정한 국제 평화NGO의 한국지부입니다.
그간 평화․통일․가정․환경이라는 보편적 가치를 중심으로 국제 시민사회 활동을 전개해 왔습니다. 2018 평창 동계올림픽 지원, 북핵 문제 해결을 위한 국제 협력 등 그동안 수행해 온 모든 활동은 특정 주체의 이익이 아닌 '공익과 인류 평화'를 최우선 가치로 삼아온 결과입니다. 아울러 일부 보도에서 언급된 한일해저터널 구상, 제5유엔사무국 유치 운동 등 그간 제시해 온 여러 제안은 한반도 평화와 동북아 협력, 국제사회 기여라는 공공적 목적에서 출발한 민간 차원의 비전이었습니다.
2. 평화 행사는 각계 지도자들의 경륜을 결집하는 '공개된 플랫폼'입니다.
각계 지도자들의 행사 참여는 국경과 종교, 정파를 초월하여 인류 평화의 담론을 형성하기 위한 '보편적 평화 연대'의 과정입니다. 결코 특정 정치 세력을 지지하기 위함이 아닙니다. UPF는 경제․사회․정치․문화 등 사회 각계 지도층이 가진 경륜을 인류 평화에 기여하도록 독려하는 공개적인 '평화의 플랫폼'을 제공해 왔을 뿐입니다.
3. 평화를 위한 순수한 열망이 왜곡되지 않기를 바랍니다.
우선, 평화와 통일을 주제로 한 UPF의 공적 행사에 참여해 주신 시민 여러분께 본의 아니게 불편과 곤란을 드리게 되어 송구한 마음을 전합니다. 공개된 장소에서 이루어진 사회 각계 지도자의 참석과 축사는 또한 여타 종교 행사나 시민사회 단체와 다르지 않습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고, 관련 법령과 사회적 기준에 부합하지 않는 방식의 자금 사용이 있었던 사실이 확인되었습니다. 이번 사안을 계기로 그러한 활동 전반에 대해 사회적 기대와 책임의 무게를 다시 한 번 깊이 성찰하고 있습니다.
이번 사태를 조직 운영 전반을 근본적으로 점검하는 계기로 삼고, 내부 규정 및 통제 시스템의 전면 재정비를 즉각 추진하겠습니다. 지난 1월 14일 광역시도회장단 회의를 통해 전면쇄신을 논의했으며 조직의 기능과 역할을 재정비하고 있습니다.
앞으로 한국 천주평화연합은 이번 사안에 대한 비판과 지적을 겸허히 수용하며, 책임 있는 시민사회 단체로서 국민 신뢰 회복을 위해 모든 노력을 다하겠습니다. <2026년 2월 11일>”
Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Statement: "Reports of the Unification Church UPF's Self-Dissolution Are Not True!"
- Reporter Park Jeong-dae
On February 11th, UPF Korea President Kim Seok-jin released a statement regarding the organization's operations. In the statement, he stated, "Recent media reports titled 'Unification Church UPF' Self-Dissolution Procedures Due to Split Sponsorship' are false. We deeply apologize for causing concern to the public through this UPF statement. Using this incident as an opportunity, we are conducting a fundamental review of our organization's operations and are pursuing a complete overhaul of our internal regulations and control systems. As a responsible civil society organization, we will do our utmost to restore public trust."
In this statement, it stated, “The Korean headquarters of the Universal Peace Federation is the Korean branch of an international peace NGO recognized by the United Nations. We have been carrying out international civil society activities centered on the universal values of peace, unification, family, and the environment. All activities carried out to date, such as support for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and international cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, are the result of prioritizing ‘public interest and peace for humanity’ rather than the interests of specific entities. Furthermore, various proposals made so far, such as the Korea-Japan undersea tunnel plan mentioned in some reports and the movement to host the 5th UN Secretariat, were private-sector visions that started from the public purpose of peace on the Korean Peninsula, cooperation in Northeast Asia, and contribution to the international community.” It also stated, “Peace events are ‘open platforms’ that bring together the experiences of leaders from all walks of life. The participation of leaders from all walks of life is a process of ‘universal peace solidarity’ to form a discourse on peace for humanity that transcends national borders, religions, and political affiliations. It is by no means intended to support a specific political force. The UPF is a platform that supports social, economic, political, and cultural issues.” He emphasized, "We have simply provided a public 'platform for peace' to encourage leaders from all walks of life to contribute their expertise to the cause of peace for humanity."
He added, "I hope that our pure aspiration for peace will not be distorted. First, we apologize for any inconvenience and inconvenience we may have unintentionally caused to the citizens who participated in UPF's public events on the theme of peace and unification. The presence and congratulatory speeches by leaders from all walks of life held in public spaces are no different from those of other religious events or civil society organizations. Nevertheless, we have confirmed that funds were used in a manner that did not comply with relevant laws and social standards. This incident has prompted us to once again deeply reflect on the weight of social expectations and responsibility for such activities." He added, "We will use this incident as an opportunity to fundamentally review the entire operation of the organization and immediately pursue a comprehensive overhaul of our internal regulations and control systems. We discussed a comprehensive overhaul at the Metropolitan and Provincial Council Presidents' Meeting on January 14th and are currently reorganizing the functions and roles of the organization."
Below is the full statement.
"Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Statement <Full Text>
As the Korean branch of an international peace NGO engaged in civil society activities, we, the Universal Peace Federation, deeply apologize for the concern we have caused the public, as recent media reports and investigations have raised concerns related to political funding.
As a private peace organization, we feel a heavy sense of responsibility for this controversy arising at a time when public trust is paramount. However, we would like to clarify the facts regarding misunderstandings and speculations regarding our activities, as follows:
1. The Universal Peace Federation Korea Branch is the Korean branch of an international peace NGO recognized by the United Nations.
We have been engaged in international civil society activities centered on the universal values of peace, unification, family, and the environment. All of our activities, including our support for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and international cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, are the result of prioritizing the public interest and peace for humanity, not the interests of specific entities. Furthermore, the Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel project mentioned in some reports, The various proposals made so far, including the campaign to host the Fifth United Nations Secretariat, were private-sector visions born from the public purpose of promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, cooperation in Northeast Asia, and contributing to the international community.
2. Peace events are an "open platform" that brings together the expertise of leaders from all walks of life.
The participation of leaders from all walks of life in these events is a process of "universal peace solidarity" that transcends national borders, religions, and political affiliations to shape a discourse on peace for humanity. It is by no means intended to support a particular political faction. UPF has simply provided a public "peace platform" to encourage leaders from all walks of life—economic, social, political, and cultural—to contribute their expertise to peace for humanity.
3. We hope that this pure aspiration for peace will not be distorted.
First, we apologize for any inconvenience and inconvenience caused to the citizens who participated in UPF's public events on the theme of peace and unification. The presence and congratulatory remarks of leaders from all walks of life in public settings are no different from those of other religious events or civil society organizations. Nevertheless, We have confirmed that funds were used in a manner that did not conform to laws and social standards. This incident has led us to deeply reflect on the weight of social expectations and responsibility for all such activities.
We will use this incident as an opportunity to fundamentally review the overall operation of the organization and immediately pursue a comprehensive overhaul of internal regulations and control systems. At the meeting of the Metropolitan and Provincial Councils held on January 14th, we discussed a comprehensive overhaul and are currently reorganizing the organization's functions and roles.
Going forward, the Universal Peace Federation of Korea will humbly accept criticism and suggestions regarding this incident and, as a responsible civil society organization, will make every effort to restore public trust. <February 11, 2026> "Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Statement: "Reports of the Unification Church's UPF Self-Dissolution Are Not True!"
- Reporter Park Jeong-dae
On February 11th, UPF Korea President Kim Seok-jin released a statement regarding the organization's operations. In this statement, the statement stated, "Recent media reports titled 'Unification Church UPF' Self-Dissolution Procedures Due to Split Sponsorship' are false. We deeply apologize for causing concern to the public through this UPF statement. We are using this incident as an opportunity to fundamentally review the overall operation of the organization and are pursuing a complete overhaul of internal regulations and control systems. Going forward, as a responsible civil society organization, we will do our utmost to restore public trust." In this statement, it stated, “The Korean headquarters of the Universal Peace Federation is the Korean branch of an international peace NGO recognized by the United Nations. We have been carrying out international civil society activities centered on the universal values of peace, unification, family, and the environment. All activities carried out to date, such as support for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and international cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, are the result of prioritizing ‘public interest and peace for humanity’ rather than the interests of specific entities. Furthermore, various proposals made so far, such as the Korea-Japan undersea tunnel plan mentioned in some reports and the movement to host the 5th UN Secretariat, were private-sector visions that started from the public purpose of peace on the Korean Peninsula, cooperation in Northeast Asia, and contribution to the international community.” It also stated, “Peace events are ‘open platforms’ that bring together the experiences of leaders from all walks of life. The participation of leaders from all walks of life is a process of ‘universal peace solidarity’ to form a discourse on peace for humanity that transcends national borders, religions, and political affiliations. It is by no means intended to support a specific political force. The UPF is a platform that supports social, economic, political, and cultural issues.” He emphasized, "We have simply provided a public 'platform for peace' to encourage leaders from all walks of life to contribute their expertise to the cause of peace for humanity."
He added, "I hope that our pure aspiration for peace will not be distorted. First, we apologize for any inconvenience and inconvenience we may have unintentionally caused to the citizens who participated in UPF's public events on the theme of peace and unification. The presence and congratulatory speeches by leaders from all walks of life held in public spaces are no different from those of other religious events or civil society organizations. Nevertheless, we have confirmed that funds were used in a manner that did not comply with relevant laws and social standards. This incident has prompted us to once again deeply reflect on the weight of social expectations and responsibility for such activities." He added, "We will use this incident as an opportunity to fundamentally review the entire operation of the organization and immediately pursue a comprehensive overhaul of our internal regulations and control systems. We discussed a comprehensive overhaul at the Metropolitan and Provincial Council Presidents' Meeting on January 14th and are currently reorganizing the functions and roles of the organization."
Below is the full statement.
"Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Statement <Full Text>
As the Korean branch of an international peace NGO engaged in civil society activities, we, the Universal Peace Federation, deeply apologize for the concern we have caused the public, as recent media reports and investigations have raised concerns related to political funding.
As a private peace organization, we feel a heavy sense of responsibility for this controversy arising at a time when public trust is paramount. However, we would like to clarify the facts regarding misunderstandings and speculations regarding our activities, as follows:
1. The Universal Peace Federation Korea Branch is the Korean branch of an international peace NGO recognized by the United Nations.
We have been engaged in international civil society activities centered on the universal values of peace, unification, family, and the environment. All of our activities, including our support for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and international cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, are the result of prioritizing the public interest and peace for humanity, not the interests of specific entities. Furthermore, the Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel project mentioned in some reports, The various proposals made so far, including the campaign to host the Fifth United Nations Secretariat, were private-sector visions born from the public purpose of promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, cooperation in Northeast Asia, and contributing to the international community.
2. Peace events are an "open platform" that brings together the expertise of leaders from all walks of life.
The participation of leaders from all walks of life in these events is a process of "universal peace solidarity" that transcends national borders, religions, and political affiliations to shape a discourse on peace for humanity. It is by no means intended to support a particular political force. UPF has simply provided a public "peace platform" to encourage leaders from all walks of life—economic, social, political, and cultural—to contribute their expertise to peace for humanity.3. We hope that our pure desire for peace will not be distorted.
First, we would like to express our sincere apologies for any inconvenience and inconvenience caused to the citizens who participated in UPF's public events on the theme of peace and unification. The presence and congratulatory speeches by leaders from various sectors of society held in public spaces are no different from those of other religious events or civil society organizations. Nevertheless, we have confirmed that funds were used in a manner that did not comply with relevant laws and social standards. This incident has led us to deeply reflect on the weight of social expectations and responsibilities regarding such activities.
We will use this incident as an opportunity to fundamentally review our overall organizational operations and immediately pursue a comprehensive overhaul of our internal regulations and control systems. We discussed this comprehensive overhaul at the Metropolitan and Provincial Council Presidents' Meeting on January 14th and are currently reorganizing the organization's functions and roles.
Going forward, the Universal Peace Federation of Korea will humbly accept the criticism and points raised regarding this incident and, as a responsible civil society organization, will make every effort to restore public trust. <February 11, 2026>
