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South Korea Launches Joint Probe into Church Bribery Allegations Involving Politicians

South Korea's Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced the formation of a joint prosecution-police investigation team to handle bribery allegations involving religious groups and politicians. The team will specifically probe the Unification Church and the Shincheonji Church of Jesus over claims they provided bribes to lawmakers and interfered in elections. This move follows the expiration of a special counsel's investigation, which had already led to the indictment of one opposition lawmaker. The new 47-member team is led by prosecutor Kim Tae-hoon and was formed under the direction of President Lee Jae Myung to establish accountability.

Key Points: S. Korea Forms Joint Team to Probe Church Bribery Allegations

  • Joint prosecution-police team formed
  • Probes Unification & Shincheonji Church bribery
  • Allegations involve ruling & opposition lawmakers
  • Team led by senior prosecutor Kim Tae-hoon
  • Stemmed from earlier special counsel investigation
2 min read

South Korea: Prosecution, police form joint investigation team to handle Unification Church allegations

South Korean prosecution and police launch a 47-member joint team to investigate bribery allegations between religious groups like the Unification Church and politicians.

"determine whether they provided bribes to politicians and meddled in elections - Yonhap news agency"

Seoul, Jan 6

The prosecution and the police formed a joint investigation team on Tuesday to handle various allegations of bribery among the Unification Church, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and politicians, South Korea's Supreme Prosecutors' Office said.

The launch of the new team comes after the legally mandated investigation period of special counsel Min Joong-ki's team ended last month, before it was able to fully determine the details of alleged bribery between the Unification Church and multiple lawmakers of both the ruling and main opposition parties.

The SPO said the joint team will look into not only the Unification Church but also the religious sect, Shincheonji, and other faith groups to determine whether they provided bribes to politicians and meddled in elections, reports Yonhap news agency.

Kim Tae-hoon, chief of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, has been tapped to lead the joint team, it said in a press release, adding the body will comprise 47 prosecutors and police officials and have offices inside the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

President Lee Jae Myung earlier directed the formation of a special or joint investigation headquarters to handle the scandal, saying it was necessary to determine the truth and demand accountability in order to prevent a repeat of similar crimes.

The bribery allegations surfaced during Min's investigation into former first lady Kim Keon Hee's suspected corruption, resulting in the indictment of Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the main opposition People Power Party and an investigation into Rep. Chun Jae-soo of the ruling Democratic Party, among other high-profile names.

Talk of appointing a special counsel to investigate the matter has stalled amid disagreements between the rival parties.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see this happening in South Korea. The Unification Church has a global presence. Makes you wonder about the financial influence of religious organizations in politics everywhere. The joint team of 47 officials seems like a strong move.
V
Vikram M
Politicians taking bribes from religious groups? Shocking! 😏 Not really. It happens everywhere. At least they are investigating it properly. In our country, such investigations often get stalled by political disagreements too. Hope they see it through.
P
Priya S
The article mentions both ruling and opposition party lawmakers are involved. Shows the problem is systemic, not partisan. Faith should guide personal life, not become a tool for buying political power. A timely lesson for all democracies.
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, while the investigation is needed, I hope it doesn't turn into a witch hunt against religious groups in general. The focus should be on the specific allegations of bribery and election meddling. The line between donation and bribe is very thin.
K
Kavya N
President Lee directing the formation is a good step. Leadership must come from the top for such sensitive probes. 47 prosecutors and police is a big team! Hope they work fast and deliver justice. Corruption scandals really shake public trust.

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