Police and Prosecutors Raid Shincheonji Headquarters Over Alleged PPP Collusion
Updated (2 articles)
Joint Team Executes Early‑Morning Raid on Shincheonji Sites Investigators from a newly formed prosecution‑police task force entered Shincheonji’s main headquarters in Gwacheon and its training center in Gapyeong on the morning of Jan 30, seizing electronic devices and documents related to the sect’s activities [1]. The operation targeted the organization’s leadership and was framed as part of a broader inquiry into political‑religious collusion. Authorities emphasized that the raid was conducted under a court‑issued warrant specifying the scope of the search.
Investigators Accuse Lee Man‑hee of Steering Followers Into PPP Prosecutors allege that founder Lee Man‑hee and senior clergy directed members to join the People Power Party (PPP) to influence the 2021 presidential primary and the 2024 general‑election candidate selection [1]. Testimony describes a “Pilates” project that recruited tens of thousands of followers as dues‑paying PPP members, effectively creating a bloc of bloc‑voting supporters. Shincheonji publicly denies any coordinated political affiliation or interference in party affairs.
Search Warrants Cite Obstruction and Political Parties Act Violations The warrant lists obstruction of business and breaches of the Political Parties Act as the legal basis for the raid [1]. Investigators claim the sect’s actions distorted party membership records and violated regulations governing party financing and membership recruitment. Seized materials are expected to provide evidence of coordinated enrollment and potential financial transfers to the PPP.
President‑Ordered Probe Highlights Disparities With Unification Church Investigation President Lee Jae Myung ordered the joint probe earlier this year, prioritizing Shincheonji while the Unification Church case proceeds more slowly, involving former Democratic lawmakers [2]. PPP floor leader Song Eon‑seog criticized the perceived double standard, calling for special prosecutors to examine the Unification Church allegations. The editorial commentary urges equal treatment of all religious‑political investigations to preserve public trust ahead of upcoming local elections.
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Prosecution‑Police Raid Shincheonji Over Alleged PPP Collusion: Details the Jan 30 raid on Shincheonji’s Gwacheon headquarters and Gapyeong training center, outlining accusations that founder Lee Man‑hee forced mass PPP enrollment via a “Pilates” project and citing specific legal charges.
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2.
Yonhap: Shincheonji Probe Accelerates While Unification Church Case Lags: Explains President Lee Jae Myung’s directive for a joint probe, contrasts the swift Shincheonji investigation with the slower Unification Church inquiry, and notes criticism of perceived double standards by PPP floor leader Song Eon‑seog.
Timeline
2021 – The People Power Party’s presidential primary sees alleged coordination with Shincheonji, where prosecutors later claim founder Lee Man‑hee pressures followers to enroll in the PPP to sway candidate selection [1].
2022 – Shincheonji members allegedly mass‑join the PPP and mobilize support for Yoon Suk‑Yeol during the presidential election, with investigators obtaining photographs of contacts between the former president and Shincheonji figures [2].
2024 – The PPP’s general‑election campaign benefits from Shincheonji’s coordinated enrollment and the “Pilates” project, which reportedly recruits tens of thousands of members as dues‑paying party affiliates [1].
Nov 2025 – The National Police Agency raids former Democratic lawmaker Chun Jae‑soo’s home and office as part of the slower‑moving Unification Church probe, highlighting a disparity in investigative speed [2].
Early 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung orders a joint prosecution‑police task force to investigate political‑religious collusion, prioritizing Shincheonji while assigning a special police unit to the Unification Church case [2].
Jan 30, 2026 – A joint prosecution‑police team raids Shincheonji’s headquarters in Gwacheon and its Gapyeong training center, seizing data on alleged collective PPP affiliation and citing obstruction of business and Political Parties Act violations; Shincheonji publicly denies any collective political interference [1].
Jan 30, 2026 – PPP floor leader Song Eon‑seog condemns “a double standard” in the investigations, arguing that opposition‑linked cases move faster than those involving former Democratic figures and calling for special prosecutors to examine the Unification Church and alleged nomination‑donation schemes [2].
2026 (upcoming local elections) – Analysts warn that the timing of the probes could influence the forthcoming local elections, urging fairness and transparency to maintain public trust ahead of the vote [2].