Probe Reveals Unification Church Funded Over 132 Political Figures, Shincheonji Mobilized 56,000 to Join Conservative Party

Shincheonji and the Unification Church have been implicated in efforts to influence politics, according to a 237-day investigation concluded by a joint police-prosecution team. The probe resulted in the indictment of 32 individuals and the seizure of 26 billion won ($19 million) from the Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja. The investigation centered on allegations that Shincheonji Church of Jesus directed tens of thousands of followers to join the conservative People Power Party, while the Unification Church allegedly used church funds to make illegal political donations.

Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee was among four church officials indicted while in custody. Twelve others linked to the group were indicted without detention. Sixteen individuals connected to the Unification Church, including Han, were also indicted without detention. Six of these individuals face summary proceedings, which allow courts to impose fines without a full trial.

The investigation team was formed on January 6 to examine allegations of political interference, tax evasion, and embezzlement involving the two religious groups. In a separate case, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Han to two years in prison. She received one year for violating the Political Funds Act and another year for embezzlement. The court found her guilty of providing 100 million won in illicit political funds to former People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong and using church money to purchase luxury gifts for former first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Investigators stated that Lee and former church Secretary-General Go Dong-an directed Shincheonji followers to join the People Power Party between 2021 and 2024 to boost the church’s political influence. These enrollment drives occurred ahead of the 2022 presidential and local elections, People Power Party leadership elections, and the 2024 parliamentary elections. Shincheonji leaders set enrollment targets for regional branches and monitored their performance. At least 56,472 followers joined the party during the period.

The investigation team raided 56 locations, including Shincheonji’s headquarters and the People Power Party’s headquarters, and questioned about 200 individuals. Investigators also concluded that Shincheonji evaded 7.57 billion won in corporate and value-added taxes between 2016 and 2020. The group operated stores at 70 regional churches under followers’ names and maintained separate accounting records. The Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office closed the tax case without charges in 2021, but the joint team reopened it this year and brought additional charges against Lee, a former church business official, and Shincheonji itself.

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