South Korean authorities raided more than 10 facilities affiliated with the Unification Church on Wednesday, investigating allegations that leader Han Hak-ja misappropriated church funds for personal use—an expansion of scrutiny into relationships between religious institutions and political power in South Korea.
A prosecution-police task force examining connections between religious organizations and political circles discovered indications of improper fund handling while analyzing the church's financial flows. Investigators suspect the leader may have diverted money to establish a personal slush fund, according to the Korea Times.
Authorities searched two significant church sites in Gapyeong—approximately 55 kilometers northeast of Seoul—the organization's main Seoul office, and other affiliated properties. The raids targeted financial records and documentation that could substantiate allegations of embezzlement and improper fund transfers.
The investigation carries particular political sensitivity given the Unification Church's historical ties to South Korean conservative politics. Founded by Sun Myung Moon, the organization has maintained connections with political figures across decades, making government enforcement action against church leadership a delicate matter that intersects religious freedom concerns with accountability questions.
Han has remained in custody since September facing separate bribery charges related to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, adding additional legal complications to the church's leadership crisis. The current embezzlement investigation represents an expansion of scrutiny beyond the initial bribery allegations.
The Unification Church's prominence extends beyond South Korea's borders, with the organization maintaining significant operations in Japan and other countries. The church faced renewed international attention following the 2022 assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister by an individual whose mother had donated extensively to the organization, prompting Japanese authorities to examine church financial practices and recruitment methods.


