Police on December 15 identified Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja as a suspect in a bribery case involving politicians from both ruling and opposition parties, conducting raids on the church's Seoul headquarters and her residence among 10 locations. The case involves allegations of bribes to figures including former Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo. Han is already on trial for a separate bribery case linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
On December 15, 2025, South Korean police identified Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja as a suspect in a bribery case involving politicians from both ruling and opposition parties, launching sweeping raids. A special investigation team under the National Police Agency targeted Cheonjeonggung, Han's residence in Gapyeong County, the church's headquarters in Seoul, and eight other locations for searches and seizures. Police also aimed to search the residence and office of former Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo, as well as the homes of former Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Jong-seong and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Gyu-hwan, suspected of receiving bribes.
The probe follows Chun's resignation as oceans minister last week. It stems from testimony by former church official Yun Young-ho in court earlier this month, where he stated the church sought to support politicians from both major parties. Yun has been booked as a suspect for providing bribes. Police expect the raids to yield the church's accounting records and evidence of bribes, including luxury watches given to Chun.
Han is currently on trial for allegedly giving luxury gifts to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. This new case appears connected, and police visited special counsel Min Joong-ki's office, suspecting incomplete transfer of investigation records last week. Chun and the two former lawmakers have denied the allegations.
The investigation highlights ongoing concerns about the Unification Church's influence in politics. Authorities plan to clarify the extent of the alleged bribes through these operations.
