Lee Orders Nationwide Probe Into Unification Church‑Politician Funding Links
Updated (3 articles)
President Lee Commands Comprehensive Probe Across Parties On December 10, President Lee Jae Myung instructed authorities to launch a strict investigation into alleged illegal ties between a religious group and politicians, emphasizing that the inquiry must cover lawmakers of any party or rank and that no group was named in the announcement [1][2][3]. He framed religious interference as a constitutional violation and urged ministers to consider measures, including possible dissolution, modeled on a Japanese precedent [1][2]. The directive follows a special counsel’s referral that escalated the matter to the police [3].
Unification Church Alleged to Have Supplied Illicit Funds Reports indicate Democratic Party (DP) lawmakers received illegal political contributions from the Unification Church ahead of the 2022 presidential election, while the same church is also under scrutiny for providing funds to People Power Party (PPP) legislators [1][2]. A special counsel’s investigation focuses on the flow of money and luxury gifts, such as those allegedly given to the former first lady in 2022 [2]. The administration portrays the probe as an effort to curb religious influence on political financing [1][2].
Former Church Official Expected to Name Lawmakers Yun Young‑ho, a former senior official of the Unification Church, is slated to testify in a final trial hearing and is expected to identify DP lawmakers who accepted money from the church [1][3]. His testimony could trigger political repercussions for both the DP and the current administration, intensifying scrutiny of past ties with the Yoon Suk‑yeol government [1][3]. The case is linked to broader investigations into church‑state collusion [1][3].
Police Form Designated Investigation Team to Pursue Evidence The National Police Agency created a dedicated team after receiving documents from special counsel Min Joong‑ki’s office, aiming to act swiftly before statutes of limitation expire [1]. The team will examine possible illicit fund transfers, contacts between politicians and the church, and related corruption allegations [1]. This police effort underscores the government’s commitment to enforce strict accountability regardless of political affiliation [1].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Lee orders stern probe into alleged illegal ties between Unification Church and politicians – Details Lee’s cabinet remarks, constitutional concerns, and the formation of a police investigation team .
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Yonhap: Lee orders stern probe into alleged ties between Unification Church and politicians – Highlights luxury‑gift allegations, constitutional violation framing, and the broader impact on DP and the administration .
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Yonhap: Lee orders stern probe into religious groups' alleged ties with political circle – Focuses on the special counsel’s referral, anticipated testimony from Yun Young‑ho, and the political fallout for the DP .
Timeline
2022 – The Unification Church allegedly supplies illegal political funds to People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers ahead of the presidential election, and former church official Yun Young‑ho is accused of giving luxury gifts to former First Lady Kim Keon‑hee, sparking early scrutiny of the church’s political financing [2].
2022 – Yun Young‑ho, former head of the Unification Church’s global headquarters, faces a corruption case linked to the Yoon Suk‑yeol administration, laying groundwork for later investigations into DP lawmakers [1].
Late 2025 – Special counsel Min Joong‑ki’s team expands its probe of the Unification Church’s finances and refers a case involving Democratic Party (DP) lawmakers to the police, widening the inquiry beyond the ruling party [3].
Dec 9, 2025 – President Lee Jae Myung convenes a cabinet meeting, declares systematic religious interference a constitutional violation, and urges ministers to examine dissolution measures for illegal religious groups, citing a Japanese precedent [3][2].
Dec 10, 2025 – President Lee orders a stern, even‑handed investigation into alleged illegal ties between the Unification Church and politicians of all parties, directing authorities to pursue the probe without regard to rank or affiliation [1][2][3].
Dec 10, 2025 – The National Police Agency forms a designated investigation team, begins reviewing documents supplied by the special counsel, and launches a rapid inquiry into possible illicit funds and contacts [1].
Dec 2025 (upcoming) – Yun Young‑ho is expected to testify at his final trial hearing and name DP lawmakers who allegedly received money from the Unification Church, a disclosure that could reshape the political fallout [1][3].
Dec 2025 (future) – Lee’s administration signals it may pursue legal steps to dissolve religious groups involved in illegal activities, following Japan’s precedent, pending the outcome of the ongoing probe [1][2].