A related official enters the Shincheonji headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on January 30, 2026. The joint investigation headquarters of prosecutors and police, investigating allegations of collusion between the Unification Church and Shincheonji, has launched a coercive investigation into Shincheonji, which is suspected of improperly joining party members. [Photo = Yonhap News]

The joint investigation headquarters of prosecutors and police, currently investigating allegations of "religious-political collusion," including lobbying of politicians by religious organizations, has commenced coercive investigations into organizations identified as potential links.

According to legal circles on the 24th, the joint investigation headquarters dispatched prosecutors and investigators to the Korean Geun-uhoe headquarters building in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and the residence of Geun-uhoe Chairperson Lee Hee-ja, initiating search and seizure operations to secure records of political fund donations and contributions.

It is reported that the search and seizure warrants identified Chairperson Lee Hee-ja, Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee, and a Mr. Bae, who is suspected of being the financial manager for former Shincheonji Secretary-General Go Dong-han, as suspects in violations of the Political Funds Act.

Investigative authorities are examining the circumstances under which funds related to Shincheonji may have flowed into the political sphere via Geun-uhoe.

Specifically, the investigation is focusing on allegations that these funds were donated at 10 million won each to lawmakers associated with the "Pro-Yoon" faction.

It is understood that Chairperson Lee donated a total of 10 million won to People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong in 2023 and 2024, and a total of 10 million won to former People Power Party lawmaker Park Seong-jung in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

The Political Funds Act prohibits the donation of political funds using corporate or organizational assets, as well as the reimbursement of individual donations. Individuals are also prohibited from donating more than 5 million won annually to a specific lawmaker's support committee.

Investigative authorities are intensely verifying whether Geun-uhoe acted as a conduit for funds between Shincheonji and the political sphere. Allegations that Chairman Lee Man-hee has been leveraging his political connections to contact influential politicians are also reportedly part of the investigation.

The joint investigation headquarters also conducted search and seizure operations concurrently related to allegations of embezzlement by former Secretary-General Go Dong-han. Former Secretary-General Go is accused of embezzling billions of won in religious group funds during his tenure and then laundering the money through companies registered under the names of Mr. Bae and his family.

In connection with this, internal testimony has reportedly been secured indicating that former Secretary-General Go received hundreds of millions of won from the company in question under the guise of salary.

Based on the secured materials, investigative authorities plan to clarify the facts of money laundering and embezzlement, as well as whether religious group funds were converted into political funds through specific channels.

Depending on the outcome of this investigation, there is speculation that the investigation could expand to encompass the overall flow of funds between religious organizations and the political sphere.