26 Billion Won Confiscated from Safe... 32 Indicted in 'Church-State Collusion' Probe

[Anchor]

The joint investigation headquarters probing allegations of church-state collusion involving the Unification Church and Shincheonji has concluded its eight-month investigation. The joint probe team confiscated 26 billion won in church funds that Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han allegedly embezzled to provide political funds and purchase personal luxury items, and also indicted a large number of Shincheonji figures, including Chairman Lee Man-hee.

Reporter Jeon Yeonnam.

[Reporter]

A safe resembling a wardrobe is hidden in one corner of the wall.

The shelves and travel bags inside are packed with bundles of cash.

This is 26 billion won in cash that the joint investigation headquarters on church-state collusion discovered and confiscated in May from the bedroom of Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han at Cheonjeonggung in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province.

The joint probe team concluded that leader Han, Chief of Staff Jung Won-ju, and former Global Headquarters Director Yoon Young-ho embezzled church assets for purposes such as providing illegal political funds and purchasing luxury goods. Applying charges including embezzlement, the team indicted 16 people, including leader Han.

This comes seven months after the investigation team was launched in January.

Regarding Shincheonji, the joint probe team also sent a total of 16 people to trial, including detaining and indicting four individuals such as Chairman Lee Man-hee.

The joint probe team explained that Shincheonji forced more than 56,000 followers to join the People Power Party between 2021 and 2024 to resolve denomination pending issues, and had about 30 followers join the Democratic Party as party members ahead of the June 3 local elections this year to help elect a preliminary Democratic Party candidate for Goyang mayor.

However, while indicting a large number of officials from the Unification Church and Shincheonji, the joint probe team did not indict a single current or former politician, including former Oceans and Fisheries Minister Jeon Jae-soo, who had been suspected of receiving money and valuables.

The Unification Church side claimed that the embezzlement charges against leader Han were an aggressive application of the law, asserting that the funds in the personal safe were voluntary religious offerings made by followers and were used exclusively for public purposes such as missionary activities.

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