Shincheonji, Unification Church Leaders Indicted in Corruption Probe

The Joint Investigation Headquarters (headed by Chief Prosecutor Kim Tae-hoon of the Daejeon High Prosecutors’ Office), which has been investigating corruption involving Shincheonji and the Unification Church, concluded its eight-month probe and ended its activities on the 31st. The task force announced it has indicted 32 individuals, including Shincheonji General Director Lee Man-hee and Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, with four detained.

According to the task force, Shincheonji is accused of enrolling tens of thousands of followers into the People Power Party between June 2021 and April 2024 to exert influence over political circles for resolving sect-related issues.

Lee and others allegedly obstructed the party’s operations by systematically enrolling followers ahead of internal primaries for the 20th presidential election, the 8th local elections, the 2023 People Power Party leadership race, and the 22nd National Assembly elections. Investigations revealed Lee exploited his absolute authority and hierarchical organizational culture to assign enrollment quotas to 12 regional branches, coercing some followers to join against their will. The task force detained and indicted Lee, former general secretary Ko Do-an, and two others, while indicting four current and former executives without detention.

Individuals accused of mobilizing Shincheonji followers in the Democratic Party of Korea’s Goyang mayoral primary were also referred to trial. The task force indicted A, a supporter of a candidate expected to run in the June 3 local elections, and B, head of Shincheonji’s Simon branch, for violating the Public Official Election Act. They allegedly enrolled around 30 Shincheonji followers into the Democratic Party to support the candidate. A reportedly offered B, “If you support us, we’ll help resolve civil complaints related to the church,” which B accepted. However, the task force stated, “No evidence was found that the general director or the entire organization systematically coerced political party enrollments.”

The investigation also uncovered former general secretary Ko Do-an, dubbed Shincheonji’s “number two,” embezzling approximately 6 billion Korean won from church funds. Ko allegedly misused 1.906 billion Korean won labeled as “missionary expenses” for legal fees without the general director’s approval. He also faced charges for receiving 4.1 billion Korean won from 12 branch leaders under the guise of construction costs while pushing real estate projects without authorization.

Additionally, Shincheonji was found to have evaded approximately 7.57 billion Korean won in taxes between 2016 and 2020 by operating 70 branch convenience stores under followers’ names while concealing cash sales through dual accounting.

The Unification Church faced scrutiny for allegedly providing illegal funds to politicians to realize its “unity of church and state” ideology and secure political allies. According to the task force, the church made 219 illegal donations totaling 189 million Korean won to 132 politicians, including lawmakers, between March 2019 and January 2025.

Chairman Han Hak-ja allegedly embezzled approximately 10.5 billion Korean won in church funds from January 2017 to May 2025, storing it in a personal safe. This was done by falsifying accounts for overseas missionary support or omitting cash donations from records. The funds were reportedly used for illegal political donations, lobbying, gifts to associates, and personal luxuries. A secret safe in Han’s bedroom was managed by one employee without formal expenditure records. During a prior investigation into former first lady Kim Keon-hee, Han’s slush fund was estimated at 30 billion Korean won, but the task force applied embezzlement charges to 10.5 billion Korean won out of 26 billion Korean won in seized cash.

Meanwhile, suspicions of former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Chun Jae-soo (current Busan mayor) and other current and former lawmakers receiving gifts were dismissed in April due to insufficient evidence. The task force identified August 2018 as the time Chun allegedly received items like a Cartier watch from Han but concluded there was no proof of actual receipt. It also ruled that the total value of gifts, including the watch, was below 30 million Korean won, making the statute of limitations for bribery (seven years) expired. However, four aides accused of destroying evidence remain indicted without detention.

The Unification Church responded, “We regret causing public concern and distress to followers,” but argued, “The task force’s embezzlement charges ignore the religious essence of offerings and misapply legal standards.” It added, “The funds were voluntary offerings from followers and institutions as expressions of faith.”