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Police and Prosecutors Raid People Power Party Headquarters Over Shincheonji Recruitment Allegations

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  • Han Hak-ja (in wheelchair), leader of the Unification Church, appears at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital in this file photo taken Sept. 22, 2025, to attend a hearing on the legality of her arrest over charges of bribery linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. (Yonhap)
    Han Hak-ja (in wheelchair), leader of the Unification Church, appears at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital in this file photo taken Sept. 22, 2025, to attend a hearing on the legality of her arrest over charges of bribery linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Han Hak-ja (in wheelchair), leader of the Unification Church, appears at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital in this file photo taken Sept. 22, 2025, to attend a hearing on the legality of her arrest over charges of bribery linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Jeon Seong-bae (R), a shaman known for his close ties to former first lady Kim Keon Hee (Yonhap)
    Jeon Seong-bae (R), a shaman known for his close ties to former first lady Kim Keon Hee (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Jeon Seong-bae (R), a shaman known for his close ties to former first lady Kim Keon Hee (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok attends a party event at its headquarters in western Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Jeon Seong-bae (R), a shaman known for his close ties to former first lady Kim Keon Hee (Yonhap)
    Jeon Seong-bae (R), a shaman known for his close ties to former first lady Kim Keon Hee (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Jeon Seong-bae (R), a shaman known for his close ties to former first lady Kim Keon Hee (Yonhap) Source Full size

Joint police‑prosecutor team raids PPP office in western Seoul On 27 February 2026 investigators from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and the Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office entered the People Power Party’s western Seoul headquarters, seizing the party’s membership database as part of a criminal probe [1][2]. The operation was coordinated by a joint investigative team, underscoring the authorities’ focus on potential illegal cooperation between a political party and a religious organization [2].

“Pilates” scheme allegedly funneled tens of thousands of Shincheonji followers into PPP Former Shincheonji officials told investigators that a project named “Pilates” urged church members to become dues‑paying PPP affiliates, with estimates of tens of thousands enrolling [1][2]. Prosecutors allege the scheme was designed to sway the 2021 presidential primary and influence candidate nominations for the 2024 general election [1][2]. The party’s leader Jang Dong‑hyeok was photographed at the headquarters two days before the raid, highlighting the timing of the operation [2].

Shincheonji rejects accusations and earlier raids targeted its own sites The Shincheonji Church of Jesus publicly denied any involvement in mass recruitment or interference with PPP’s candidate‑selection process, calling the claims unfounded [1]. The raid on the PPP office follows a prior sweep of Shincheonji facilities in January, part of the same investigation into alleged political meddling [1].

Unification Church figures face separate bribery prosecutions linked to former first lady On 24 February 2026, shaman Jeon Seong‑bae received a six‑year prison term for accepting bribes from a Unification Church official, with the court noting his collaboration with former first lady Kim Keon Hee [3]. Two days earlier, Unification Church leader Han Hak‑ja was ordered back into detention after a court denied her request to extend a health‑related temporary release, her indictment also citing gifts to Kim Keon Hee [4]. Both cases illustrate a broader crackdown on religious groups alleged to misuse political funds.

January‑initiated probe expands to multiple religious‑political ties Prosecutors launched a joint investigation in January to examine suspected violations of the Political Parties Act concerning membership management and decision‑making, targeting both Shincheonji and Unification Church connections to politicians [1][2][4]. The raid on the PPP headquarters represents the latest enforcement action under this wider anti‑corruption drive.

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Timeline

2019 – Police allege Song Gwang‑seok delivers 13 million won to 11 lawmakers as part of a Unification Church scheme to channel church funds into political donations, the earliest documented illegal contribution investigated later. [10]

2020 – Pastor Jeon Kwang‑hoon faces prior arrests for illegal election campaigning, establishing his history of political activism that later leads to a 2026 indictment. [7]

2021 – Shincheonji Church allegedly runs a “Pilates” project that enrolls tens of thousands of followers as dues‑paying members of the People Power Party to sway the party’s presidential primary and 2024 candidate nominations, a scheme prosecutors later target. [1][2]

2022 – Unification Church leader Han Hak‑ja and former official Yun Young‑ho allegedly bribe former first lady Kim Keon Hee with a luxury necklace and Chanel bags and transfer 100 million won to PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong‑dong in exchange for political favors, prompting multiple bribery investigations. [29][30][6][20]

Dec 3 2024 – Former President Yoon Suk‑yeol declares martial law, a decision later extended by the court and cited as the trigger for the Jan 19 2025 courthouse riot. [5][8][7]

Jan 19 2025 – Pro‑Yoon supporters storm the Seoul Western District Court, committing trespass and obstructing duties after the court extends Yoon’s detention over the martial‑law declaration, an incident later linked to pastor Jeon Kwang‑hoon’s alleged incitement. [5][7][8]

Dec 1 2025 – Han Hak‑ja’s first trial begins at the Seoul Central District Court on bribery charges involving luxury gifts to Kim Keon Hee and a 100 million‑won transfer to Kweon Seong‑dong; prosecutors quote special counsel Min Joong‑ki saying “the church illegally used donations from followers.” [29][30]

Dec 8 2025 – Former Unification Church official Yun Young‑ho testifies that the church provided support to Democratic Party politicians ahead of the 2022 presidential election, expanding the probe beyond the PPP‑focused allegations. [28]

Dec 9 2025 – Special counsel Min Joong‑ki’s team transfers its preliminary investigation of Unification Church‑DP ties to the National Police Agency, citing concerns over selective inquiry and the approaching statute‑of‑limitations deadline. [27]

Dec 9 2025 – Yun Young‑ho is expected to name DP lawmakers who received church money during his closing arguments, a move that could “deal a severe blow to the DP,” according to prosecutors. [26]

Dec 10 2025 – President Lee Jae Myung orders a “stern probe” into alleged illegal ties between a religious group and politicians, demanding equal scrutiny of all parties and warning of constitutional violations. [24]

Dec 14 2025 – A special investigation team raids the Unification Church’s central Seoul headquarters, seizing records as part of the broader donation‑fraud inquiry. [21]

Dec 15 2025 – Police name Han Hak‑ja a suspect in a bribery case involving former Oceans Minister Chun Jae‑soo and former lawmakers Lim Jong‑seong and Kim Gyu‑hwan, alleging cash and luxury‑watch payments between 2018 and 2020. [20]

Dec 17 2025 – The special counsel seeks a four‑year prison term and forfeiture of 100 million won for PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong‑dong, accusing him of receiving illegal funds from the Unification Church in 2022. [18]

Dec 21 2025 – The Democratic Party accepts the opposition’s push for a special‑counsel probe into Unification Church bribery, with floor leader Kim Byung‑ki urging a full investigation of collusion and illegal donations. [16]

Dec 22 2025 – The DPK officially backs appointing an independent counsel to investigate the Unification Church’s political influence, with Chairman Jung Chung‑rae stating “there is no good reason to reject an independent counsel.” [15]

Dec 24 2025 – Police raid Unification Church facilities again and question Han Hak‑ja and Yun Young‑ho about bribery allegations tied to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and former minister Chun Jae‑soo. [14]

Dec 28 2025 – Former chief secretary Jeong Won‑ju is questioned a second time as a suspect in the church’s alleged “palm‑greasing” of politicians, including possible favors for an underwater tunnel project linking South Korea and Japan. [13]

Dec 30 2025 – Police transfer Unification Church leader Han Hak‑ja and three officials to prosecutors for alleged illegal political donations, moving the case from investigation to formal prosecution. [11][12]

Jan 8 2026 – Prosecutors file for an arrest warrant for pastor Jeon Kwang‑hoon, alleging he encouraged the Jan 19 2025 courthouse riot by urging protesters to “exercise a right of resistance.” [8]

Jan 13 2026 – A Seoul court issues an arrest warrant for Jeon Kwang‑hoon, citing flight‑risk and evidence‑destruction concerns after his hearing on the courthouse riot charges. [7]

Jan 28 2026 – Former Unification Church official Yun Young‑ho receives a 14‑month prison sentence for embezzlement and political‑fund violations related to luxury gifts delivered to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and undisclosed payments to a PPP lawmaker. [6]

Feb 3 2026 – Prosecutors indict pastor Jeon Kwang‑hoon on charges of instigating trespassing, obstruction of duties, and violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act for his alleged role in the 2025 courthouse riot. [5]

Feb 22 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court denies Han Hak‑ja’s request to extend temporary release and returns her to detention, underscoring the ongoing bribery probe linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. [4]

Feb 24 2026 – Shaman Jeon Seong‑bae is sentenced to six years in prison for accepting bribes tied to the Unification Church, including 80 million won in goods and collusion with former first lady Kim Keon Hee. [3]

Feb 27 2026 – Police and prosecutors raid the People Power Party’s western Seoul headquarters, seizing its membership list amid accusations that Shincheonji recruited tens of thousands of members to sway the 2021 primary and 2024 elections; Shincheonji publicly denies the allegations. [1][2]

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