Police investigating allegations of political lobbying by the Unification Church launched a sweeping raid on the 15th. It is the first compulsory investigation since receiving the case from the Kim Keon-hee special counsel team (Min Joong-ki special counsel team).
The Korean National Police Agency's special dedicated investigation team has been executing search and seizure warrants at 10 locations since 9 a.m., including the Unification Church's Cheon Jeong Gung in Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi, and the Unification Church's Seoul headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul.
The Seoul Detention Center, where Unification Church President Han Hak-ja and former world headquarters Deputy Minister Yoon Young-ho are being held, was also included in the targets of the raid. President Han and former Deputy Minister Yoon face charges of bribery and violations of the Political Funds Act.
Police also raided the home and office of former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Chun Jae-soo, as well as the homes of former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lim Jong-sung and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Kyu-hwan. According to some media reports, the warrant lists Chun as suspected of taking bribes, while Lim and Kim are suspected of violating the Political Funds Act.
However, Chun and others are flatly denying the allegations of receiving money or valuables. In a statement released the same day, Chun said that taking a commemorative photo and offering congratulatory remarks at an event related to the Unification Church was only to consider relations with local residents, adding, "There was clearly not the slightest instance of illegal receipt of money or valuables."
Police also sent investigators to the office of the Min Joong-ki special counsel team at KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno District, Seoul, to secure investigative materials. As the special counsel did not investigate the bundle of cash worth about 28 billion won found from a safe in President Han's personal safe when Cheon Jeong Gung was raided in July, police plan to trace the source of the funds.