Police have launched a compulsory investigation into Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon and Sarang Jeil Church on suspicion of giving and receiving illegal political funds.
The Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit of the Violent Crime Investigation Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is conducting a search and seizure of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk District, Seoul, on the morning of the 25th on suspicion of violating the Political Funds Act. Sarang Jeil Church is suspected of illegally donating about 10.2 billion won in political funds to the Liberty Unification Party, led by Pastor Jeon, in 31 installments from 2020 through the first half of last year.
Earlier, the National Election Commission determined that the Liberty Unification Party entered into a "money loan agreement" with Sarang Jeil Church and borrowed funds, but repaid little of the interest or principal, constituting an illegal political donation. Accordingly, the commission filed a complaint in Dec. last year against six people, including Pastor Jeon, on suspicion of violating the Political Funds Act, among other charges.
Under the Political Funds Act, domestic and foreign corporations and organizations are prohibited from donating political funds, and donations made with funds related to corporations or organizations are also banned.
Sarang Jeil Church issued a statement, saying, "This search and seizure is a clearly orchestrated, targeted investigation planned jointly by the police, who have degenerated into the regime's henchmen, and the election commission, which has moved to the forefront to cover up its own misdeeds."
It added, "If they thought they could muzzle the church through pressure from those in power, that is a huge delusion," and said, "To protect the freedoms of religion and expression guaranteed by the Constitution, we will resolutely confront this tyranny by the regime and the election commission."