What were the main results of the prosecution-police probe into Shincheonji and the Unification Church?

The team arrested and indicted Lee Man-hee and other Shincheonji officials, while also indicting 16 people in the Unification Church case, including Han Hak-ja. It said it had uncovered alleged election meddling, illegal political donations, embezzlement, and seized 26 billion won in cash from Han’s private safe.

Why were Shincheonji members accused of joining the People Power Party?

Lee Man-hee and other church officials were accused of forcing followers to join the PPP to influence election results from 2021 to 2024. The investigation says at least 56,472 members joined the party during that period.

Prosecution-police team wraps up probe into political-religious collusion

Q: What charges were tied to Han Hak-ja and the Unification Church investigation?

The probe focused on alleged illegal political donations and embezzlement of church funds, and investigators suspect the church donated 189 million won to 132 politicians from 2019 through last year. A Seoul district court was also set to rule later Monday on Han’s bribery case involving luxury gifts to the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Listen

Summary

A joint prosecution-police team investigating alleged political-religious collusion ended its work Monday after 237 days. The probe led to the arrest and indictment of Lee Man-hee of Shincheonji and the seizure of 26 billion won from Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja. It also examined alleged church efforts to influence elections, illegal political donations, and embezzlement, while a Seoul district court was due to rule later Monday on Han’s bribery case.

Key Facts

The team was launched on Jan. 6 and concluded its activities 237 days later on Monday.
Four Shincheonji officials, including Lee Man-hee, were arrested and indicted, while 12 other officials were indicted without detention.
At least 56,472 Shincheonji members joined the People Power Party between 2021 and 2024, according to the investigation.
In the Unification Church case, 16 people including Han Hak-ja were indicted without detention, and summary orders were sought for six officials whose roles were considered relatively minor.
Investigators suspect the Unification Church illegally donated 189 million won to 132 politicians from 2019 through last year, and a Seoul district court was set to rule later Monday on Han’s bribery case.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 31, 2026 11:48 am KST

Lee Man-hee, left, founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja / Yonhap

A joint prosecution-police team investigating suspected collusion between politics and religion concluded its activities Monday, 237 days after its launch on Jan. 6.

The team achieved notable results, including the arrest and indictment of Lee Man-hee, founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a nonmainstream religious sect, and the seizure of 26 billion won ($18.9 million) in cash from the private safe of Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja.

The team had investigated allegations of Shincheonji coercing its members into joining the People Power Party (PPP), tax evasion and embezzlement of funds, as well as the Unification Church's illegal donation of political funds and embezzlement of church funds.

Consequently, four Shincheonji officials, including Lee, were arrested and indicted, with 12 other officials indicted without detention. Lee and other church officials were accused of forcing church followers to join the PPP with the aim of influencing the results of various elections from 2021 to 2024. During the period, at least 56,472 members joined the PPP.

In connection with the Unification Church, 16 people, including Han, were indicted without detention. Among them, summary orders were sought for six church officials whose involvement in the alleged crimes was deemed relatively minor.

The investigation team suspects that the Unification Church illegally donated a total of 189 million won to 132 politicians from 2019 through last year in an effort to promote closer ties with politics and secure the support of friendly politicians.

Meanwhile, a Seoul district court was set to rule later Monday on Han's bribery case that includes charges of giving luxury gifts to the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Explore More