Following police raids and a special counsel investigation, the prosecution and police have formed a joint team led by Kim Tae-hoon of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office to probe bribery allegations between the Unification Church and politicians from both major parties.
The joint investigation team will examine bribery claims involving the Unification Church and lawmakers, building on December 2025 police raids that named church leader Han Hak-ja as a suspect and targeted locations linked to figures like former Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo. These allegations surfaced during special counsel Min Joong-ki's probe into corruption tied to former first lady Kim Keon-hee, resulting in the indictment of Rep. Kweon Seong-dong (People Power Party) and ongoing scrutiny of Rep. Chun Jae-soo (Democratic Party).
President Lee Jae-myung called for a special or joint headquarters to uncover the truth and prevent recurrence. With rival parties deadlocked on a new special counsel, the team launches after Min's mandate expired last month without full resolution of illegal donations and influence peddling.
This step aims to enhance accountability amid concerns over the church's political influence.
