Joint Investigation Body Into Political-Religious Collusion Concludes Probe; Indicts 32, Including Lee Man-hee and Hak Ja Han

[Anchor]

The joint investigation body into allegations surrounding Shincheonji and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church) has wrapped up its probe after seven months. The joint body announced that it has indicted 32 individuals, including Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee and Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han.

Reporter Jeon Yeonnam has the details.

[Reporter]

Launched in January, the Joint Investigation Team on Political-Religious Corruption has probed various allegations, including Shincheonji forcing its followers to join the People Power Party, tax evasion, and embezzlement of funds, as well as the Unification Church's illegal political donations and embezzlement of church funds.

Wrapping up its investigation today (the 31st), the joint body announced that it has formally indicted four Shincheonji officials, including leader Lee Man-hee, while detaining them, and indicted 12 others, including other affiliates, without detention.

Regarding the Unification Church, the joint body announced that it has forwarded 16 individuals, including leader Hak Ja Han, to trial without detention.

The joint body determined that Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee and former general secretary Ko Dong-an, among others, forced followers to join the People Power Party between 2021 and 2024 to resolve denomination-related issues.

It was found that at least 56,400 followers joined the People Power Party in the process.

In addition, the joint body announced that the head of the Simon Tribe theology department in northern Gyeonggi Province and a supporter of a preliminary candidate were indicted without detention on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act for having some 30 followers join the party to influence the Democratic Party primary for Goyang mayor ahead of this year's local elections.

The joint body determined that the Unification Church illegally donated a total of 189 million won across 219 instances to 132 politicians, including lawmakers, between 2019 and last year to realize its ideology of the unification of politics and religion.

Furthermore, the joint body announced that it additionally confirmed charges that four individuals, including leader Hak Ja Han, former chief of staff Jeong Won-ju, and former headquarters director Yoon Young-ho, embezzled approximately 10.5 billion won in church funds from 2017 to last year. It also stated that it has seized 26 billion won in cash from a safe installed in Han's bedroom and is currently proceeding with preservation for confiscation.

(Video Editing: Kim Jin-won)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.