South Korean President Orders Probe into Alleged Unification Church Bribes to Politicians

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung ordered an investigation on Wednesday into potential illegal links between a religious group and politicians, according to reports by primerahora.com and abc.com.py. The presidential office said the order covers politicians from both the ruling party and the opposition. One report says the order names the Unification Church, while the other says the office did not specify the group and described the probe as covering suspected illegal links “regardless of party or rank.”

The reports say suspicions have arisen that the Unification Church bribed members of the two main parties. The church’s leader, Han Hak-ja, 82, was arrested in September on bribery and other charges. Both reports say Han and Yun Yeong-ho, a former head of the church’s global headquarters, are accused of financing a luxury necklace and Chanel bags handed over to former First Lady Kim Keon-hee. One report describes Han’s case as “related to” Kim, while the other says Han’s trial is ongoing.

Both reports say Yun is expected to reveal the names of ruling Democratic Party legislators who allegedly received money between 2018 and 2020. Yun did not mention any legislators at Wednesday’s hearing, according to Yonhap, as cited by both outlets. The reports present the names as expected disclosures and do not confirm that any lawmaker received money.

Police reported forming a special investigation team after the president’s order. The reports differ on its focus. One says the team will investigate the church’s suspicions. The other says it will probe suspicions of support from the Democratic Party by the Unification Church.

Hearing all sides before any judgment is a matter of truth and fairness (Proverbs 18:17).