Shincheonji and Unification Church leaders indicted in collusion probe

A joint prosecution and police investigation team has concluded an eight-month probe into allegations of political collusion involving the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the Unification Church. A total of 32 individuals have been indicted, including Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee and Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han.

Regarding Shincheonji, investigators allege that the group coerced members to join the People Power Party to influence various election results between 2021 and 2024. Additionally, Shincheonji officials face charges of tax evasion totaling approximately 7.57 billion won through the use of disguised businesses and double bookkeeping. Other charges include embezzlement of approximately 1.9 billion won and misappropriation of funds related to land sales.

In the Unification Church investigation, authorities focused on illegal political donations. The investigation found that between September 2019 and January 2023, the organization used its network to make 218 illegal donations totaling approximately 189 million won to 132 politicians. While several high-ranking officials were indicted, Hak Ja Han and a former secretary were not sent to trial due to insufficient evidence of direct involvement in the donations, though they face separate embezzlement charges involving 10.5 billion won.

Authorities also seized 26 billion won in cash held in a private safe belonging to the Unification Church leader.