Pastor James Daniel Shinn Urges Global Scrutiny Over $8 Million Alleged Cash Transfer to North Korea by South Korean Presidential Candidate
WASHINGTON, DC, May 29, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Korean-American civic leader and President of the US Korean Association Of Washington, Pastor James Daniel Shinn, is calling for urgent international scrutiny regarding allegations that Lee Jae-myung, South Korea's opposition leader and a declared presidential candidate for the 2025 election, was involved in a covert $8 million cash transfer to North Korea.
At a press conference in Washington, Pastor Shinn declared the case "not merely a political matter, but a serious violation of international sanctions and a threat to global security."
"If an individual running to lead one of America's closest democratic allies is credibly linked to funding a rogue regime like North Korea, this warrants immediate attention at the highest levels," said Pastor Shinn. "This issue must be reviewed by OFAC, the U.S. National Security Council, and the U.N. 1718 Committee."
According to documents submitted to the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the United Nations Sanctions Committee, the alleged transfer was funneled through corporate intermediaries between 2019 and 2020 and may have violated multiple provisions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
Pastor Shinn warned that any such funds reaching Pyongyang could be used to support North Korea's weapons programs or suppress its population, directly undermining international efforts to maintain peace and human rights on the Korean Peninsula.
Background Summary
- Lee Jae-myung is South Korea's current opposition leader and has formally declared his candidacy for the 2025 presidential election.
- The allegation involves an unauthorized $8 million transfer to North Korean officials via South Korean intermediaries.
- A full report has been submitted to OFAC, the U.N. 1718 Sanctions Committee, and U.S.-based NGOs.
- Pastor Shinn has stated that the act, if verified, would "jeopardize the integrity of international sanctions and damage South Korea's global credibility."
Call for U.S. and International Action
Pastor Shinn is urging members of the Korea Caucus in Congress and the House Foreign Affairs Committee to initiate briefings and hearings on foreign political violations of U.S. sanctions law. Civic groups are also requesting that the U.S. National Security Council (NSC) formally assess the national security implications of the case, given Lee's status as a candidate for South Korea's highest office.
US Korean Association Of Washington
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