Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon [Photo=Yonhap News]

Police have conducted a search and seizure at Sarang Jeil Church in connection with a case of political fund law violations filed by the National Election Commission (NEC).

The Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the morning of the 25th that it had searched the Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and other locations, regarding allegations of violating the Political Funds Act. This search and seizure is a measure taken in relation to the political fund violation case filed by the NEC.

Last December, the NEC filed complaints against six individuals, including Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, former and current representatives of Sarang Jeil Church, and the former representative of the National Revolutionary Party, on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act.

At the time of the complaint, the NEC determined that the National Revolutionary Party had borrowed approximately 10.2 billion KRW from Sarang Jeil Church on 31 occasions between 2020 and the first half of 2025 under the guise of "loan agreements," while failing to repay almost any of the principal or interest. The commission deemed this to be, in effect, a donation of political funds.

Pastor Jeon served as the senior pastor of Sarang Jeil Church and currently serves as an advisor, and the National Revolutionary Party is the party founded by Pastor Jeon.

Meanwhile, the National Revolutionary Party released a statement claiming, "This search and seizure is an indiscriminate act of political oppression against an opposition party critical of the Lee Jae-myung administration."

According to the statement, "The facts are that during a period when the National Revolutionary Party was facing financial difficulties, we borrowed funds through 'loan agreements' to cover general operating expenses such as rent and maintenance costs," adding that "unlike political funds provided without expectation of return, this was a legitimate loan agreement premised on borrowing and repayment."

They continued, "The very attempt by the NEC or the police to frame this as a crime is nothing more than despicable political oppression aimed at crushing the opposition party," and argued, "We cannot help but suspect that this search and seizure is a joint effort between a left-wing government that is displeased with us being at the forefront of the anti-leftist struggle and the National Election Commission, which is facing a crisis of dissolution due to poor election management."

Goo Ju-wa, the lawyer representing Pastor Jeon, also stated in an interview with Hanmi Ilbo, "I believe the police search of the church is an intentional measure designed to divert public attention during the election period," adding that they "will respond legally."