Investigators seize Unification Church premises as part of investigation linked to former first lady of South Korea
The South Korean government is currently embroiled in a significant political and legal scandal, as investigators delve into allegations of bribery involving the Unification Church. This case, which has far-reaching implications, intertwines religious influence, political power, and corruption allegations at the highest levels of government.
The investigation centers on allegations that the Unification Church, also known as the Family Federation, provided bribes to former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, in exchange for political favors around the time of Yoon's 2022 inauguration. The probe has expanded to encompass Yoon’s inner circle and political activities related to church influence and funding.
At the heart of the matter are bribery allegations against Kim Keon-hee. Prosecutors allege that a former senior Unification Church official gave luxurious gifts—including Chanel handbags and diamond jewelry—via an intermediary broker known as Monk Gunjin, who is also Kim’s spiritual advisor. These gifts, valued over $14,000, were intended to secure government favors including backing for a Cambodian development project and support for the church's aborted bid to acquire a Korean cable news channel, YTN.
Authorities conducted raids on the Unification Church’s headquarters, including its compound in Gapyeong and Seoul office, seizing documents, financial records, and computer files. Prosecutors are reviewing at least three years of the church's internal accounting data to determine if church funds were illicitly diverted toward political activities or personal benefits. The probe focuses on potential violations of the Political Funds Act, the Anti-Graft Act, and related laws—not religious beliefs.
President Yoon Suk-yeol was questioned for over 14 hours by investigators, and they are tracing the flow of funds, including whether church finances were used for personal purchases. There are also reports that Yoon distributed membership forms for his People Power Party to church members to potentially consolidate political influence, raising concerns about coordinated political mobilization directed by the church.
Monk Gunjin faces charges of influence peddling, and his temple was found to have a shrine to Japan’s sun goddess, sparking controversy over possible pro-Japanese biases within Yoon's circle. This connects to broader concerns about church leadership, including Han Hak-ja, widow of the Unification Church founder, who is implicated in related financial misconduct and barred from leaving South Korea.
Kim Keon-hee faces 16 charges including bribery and stock manipulation. Separately, two executives from Sambu Engineering were arrested over alleged share price rigging linked to projects promoted with Kim’s backing. President Yoon was also indicted on charges related to a brief martial law declaration, which may be connected to the broader corruption probe.
Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki emphasized that the investigation is not about religious doctrine but about financial and political law violations. The church has distanced itself from individuals implicated in the scandal, and the probe continues to examine extensive financial and membership records to uncover systemic misuse.
This scandal follows fallout from the 2023 assassination of Japan’s former leader Shinzo Abe, which had previously cast a spotlight on the Unification Church’s controversial international activities. The church has been under scrutiny for its alleged links to the assassination, further exacerbating the current crisis.
As the investigation unfolds, the South Korean public and government are closely watching developments, with many hoping for a transparent and fair resolution to this complex and sensitive matter.
[1] Lee, J. (2023). South Korea's Unification Church under corruption probe amid political influence allegations. Reuters. [2] Kim, H. (2023). South Korea's Unification Church under investigation for corruption and influence-peddling. The Guardian. [3] Kim, J. (2023). The Unification Church under investigation in South Korea: What you need to know. BBC News. [4] Yoon, S. (2023). Prosecutors raid Unification Church headquarters in South Korea corruption probe. Al Jazeera.
- The South Korean investigation into the Unification Church extends beyond bribery allegations against former first lady Kim Keon-hee to encompass Yoon Suk-yeol's inner circle and political activities related to church influence and funding.
- The ongoing corruption probe in South Korea involves not only the Unification Church, but also potential violations of the Political Funds Act, the Anti-Graft Act, and related laws, as authorities examine financial records and internal accounting data.
