The joint prosecution-police investigation headquarters probing alleged collusion between religious groups and politics carried out a search and seizure of Geunuhoe, identified as the link between Shincheonji and political circles. The aim is to confirm whether funds related to Shincheonji flowed through Geunuhoe and then into political donations.
According to legal sources on the 24th, the task force sent prosecutors and investigators from that morning to the main building of the Korea Geunuhoe in Mapo District, Seoul, and to the home of Geunuhoe Chair Lee Hee-ja to secure records of political donations and contributions.
The search warrant is said to list Chair Lee, Shincheonji General Assembly Chair Lee Man-hee, and a person surnamed Bae, identified as the "keeper of the safe" for former Shincheonji general affairs chief Go Dong-an, as suspects on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. They are suspected of using funds related to Shincheonji to donate 10 million won each to so-called pro-Yoon lawmakers.
Lee is said to have donated a total of 10 million won to People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong in 2023 and 2024, and a total of 10 million won to former People Power Party lawmaker Park Sung-joong in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The Political Funds Act prohibits donating political funds derived from corporate or organizational money or reimbursing political donations made by individuals. Individuals also cannot donate more than 5 million won per year to a single lawmaker's support association.
Geunuhoe has been identified as a group that served as a bridge between Shincheonji and political circles. Allegations have also been raised that General Assembly Chair Lee Man-hee built relationships with influential politicians through Chair Lee, who is known to have strong connections with the People Power Party.
The task force is also conducting a search and seizure related to the embezzlement allegations against the former general affairs chief Go. While working as Shincheonji's general affairs chief, Go is suspected of siphoning off at least billions of won in sect funds and laundering the money through companies run by Bae and Bae's spouse. Internal testimony has reportedly emerged that Go received hundreds of millions of won as salary from one of those companies.
Based on the materials secured that day, the task force plans to examine whether Shincheonji sect funds were delivered to Geunuhoe through a specific route and then used as political donations.