Former Oceans Minister Chun Jae‑soo Questioned Over Alleged Unification Church Bribes
Updated (2 articles)
Police summon former minister to Seodaemun station Investigators ordered Chun Jae‑soo to appear at Seoul’s Seodaemun Ward police station on 19 December 2025 for questioning about a 2018 gift of 20 million won in cash and a Bulgari watch valued at 10 million won, allegedly from the Unification Church [1][2]. The summons followed accusations by former church official Yun Young‑ho that the items were exchanged for Chun’s assistance with church‑backed projects, notably a proposed undersea tunnel linking South Korea and Japan [1][2]. Chun, who had resigned as oceans minister the previous week, remained a Democratic Party lawmaker at the time of the alleged transaction [2].
Chun publicly rejects all wrongdoing Outside the police station, Chun asserted that he never accepted money or gifts illegally from the church, emphasizing that he opposed the tunnel project because it would disadvantage Busan [1]. He maintained that the allegations were false and that no illicit benefit was received [2]. His denial aligns with his continued claim of political innocence despite the investigation.
Police execute coordinated raids on multiple sites Authorities raided Chun’s Busan home, his former oceans‑minister office in Sejong, and his National Assembly office, seizing electronic devices and documents [1][2]. Simultaneously, they entered the Gapyeong residence of Unification Church leader Han Hak‑ja, conducting a second raid on the property later in the week to collect additional evidence [1][2]. The raids targeted locations linked to both the politician and the church’s leadership.
Investigation expands to other suspects and financial ties Prosecutors identified two additional politicians, former DP lawmaker Lim Jong‑seong and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Gyu‑hwan, as suspects in the same bribery case [1]. Investigators also examined a 2019 purchase of 500 copies of Chun’s book by a church‑affiliated organization, totaling 10 million won, suggesting broader financial connections [2].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Former Oceans Minister questioned over alleged bribes from Unification Church – Details Chun’s police appearance, the specific cash and watch gifts, and the raid on his Busan residence, while noting other politicians implicated .
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2.
Yonhap: Police summon ex‑oceans minister over alleged bribes from Unification Church – Highlights the summons schedule, the additional raid on Han Hak‑ja’s home, and the investigation into a bulk book purchase linked to the church .
Timeline
2018 – Chun Jae‑soo allegedly receives 20 million won in cash and a Bulgari watch worth 10 million won from the Unification Church in exchange for helping push church‑backed projects, including a proposed undersea tunnel linking South Korea and Japan[1].
2018 – Evidence shows Chun attends an undersea‑tunnel promotional event, suggesting a direct link between the gift and his support for the tunnel plan[1].
2019 – A church‑affiliated organization allegedly buys 500 copies of Chun’s book for a total of 10 million won, prompting investigators to probe a possible quid‑pro quo[2].
Early Dec 2025 – Chun resigns as Oceans Minister after a former Unification Church official publicly discloses the alleged bribes, though he remains a Democratic Party lawmaker[1][2].
Dec 15, 2025 – Police raid four sites connected to Chun: his Busan home, the Sejong oceans‑minister office, his National Assembly office, and the Gapyeong residence of Unification Church leader Han Hak‑ja, seizing documents and electronic data for the probe[2].
Dec 18, 2025 (Thursday) – Investigators conduct a second raid on Han Hak‑ja’s Cheonjeonggung residence, expanding the search for evidence related to the bribery case[2].
Dec 19, 2025 – Chun appears at Seodaemun‑Ward police station for questioning; he publicly denies wrongdoing, stating, “there was no illegal acceptance of money and goods from the Unification Church whatsoever.”[1].
Dec 19, 2025 – Police continue the investigation, raiding Chun’s Busan residence, his former oceans‑minister office in Sejong, his National Assembly office, and Han Hak‑ja’s home, while also probing communications with a church‑founded forum as recent as October[1].
Dec 19, 2025 – Authorities name two additional suspects in the case: former Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Jong‑seong and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Gyu‑hwan, indicating a broader network of alleged corruption[1].
2025 onward – The probe remains active, with investigators examining the alleged 2018 bribes, the undersea‑tunnel project, and related financial transactions, while no further legal outcomes have been announced.