On December 17, the police questioned Han Hakja, President of the Unification Church, in connection with allegations that political figures received money and valuables from the church.
The special investigation team of the National Police Agency visited Seoul Detention Center at 9:30 a.m. and questioned President Han, who is currently in custody, for three hours. The investigation team explained, "The session ended earlier than expected because President Han's side said that a lengthy investigation was difficult due to health reasons. However, we completed all the matters we intended to address today."
It has been reported that the police questioned President Han about suspicions that, around 2018 to 2020, the Unification Church delivered tens of millions of won in cash and luxury watches to former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Jeon Jae-soo, former Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Jongseong, and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Gyuhwan.
The police also inquired whether the approximately 28 billion won in cash reportedly kept in President Han's personal safe was used as lobbying funds for political figures.
On December 15, the police conducted searches at 10 locations, including Cheonjeonggung, the Unification Church's facility in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province; the Unification Church's Seoul headquarters in Yongsan District; and the detention rooms of President Han and former Director Yoon at Seoul Detention Center. However, it is reported that no cash or other valuables were seized.
On the same day, the police obtained additional search warrants for the residences of former Minister Jeon, former lawmaker Lim, and former lawmaker Kim, considering the possibility that they may have other residences. While the usual validity period for a search warrant is about seven days, the validity period for these warrants is one month, until January 14 of next year.
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