9 Unification Church officials indicted over alleged illegal political donations

Former and current leaders of the Unification Church were indicted by a police-prosecution task force on Tuesday for allegedly funneling illegal funds to politicians through their extensive network, officials announced. Three individuals, including the church's ex-global chief Yun Young-ho, were indicted without physical detention on charges of breaching the Political Funds Act and embezzlement.

The church is accused of illegally donating 188 million won (US$133,079) to 132 politicians on 218 occasions between September 2019 and January 2025. The task force has also indicted six other church officials who played a role in the alleged scheme. The investigation team suspects the Unification Church aimed to boost its religious influence by inviting politicians to church events.

Authorities have conducted raids at 24 locations, including the church's sacred site Cheon Jeong Gung in Gapyeong, about 55 kilometers northeast of Seoul, traced over 480 bank accounts, and questioned 82 people connected to the case. Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja and former chief secretary Jeong Won-ju were not indicted due to insufficient evidence of their direct involvement.

The task force is also probing allegations that followers of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus were coerced into joining the ruling Democratic Party ahead of the June 3 local elections, potentially to sway the primaries or elections.