Religion, Politics, and Money at Center of Trial

Seoul hearing unfolds amid sweeping probe into alleged religion-politics money links, criticized as politically motivated crackdown on conservative religious groups

Published 15th March at 11:43 pm, updated 16th March at 6:43 pm

The large South Korean daily Chosun Ilbo published on 13^th march a report on the hearing the same day in Seoul Central District Court in a court case that has drawn considerable attention because it touches on the intersection of religion, politics, and allegations of financial influence.

See also Trump Adviser’s Praise for Mother Han Noticed

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The newspaper writes that at the center of the case are figures connected to Unificationism (통일교), a religious movement founded in Korea that has long been influential both domestically and internationally. Prosecutors are examining whether individuals linked to the movement attempted to build relationships with politicians through gifts or money, potentially violating South Korea’s strict political funding laws.

One of the people involved in the case is Yoon Yeong-ho (윤영호), a former senior official within Unificationism. Yoon previously served as head of the religious organization’s world headquarters and has been questioned in court about his contacts with politicians. During recent testimony, he described an incident in late 2021 involving a meeting with Kim Sung-tae (김성태), a former lawmaker from South Korea’s conservative People Power Party. According to Yoon’s testimony, he went to the meeting prepared with both a gift set and a large sum of cash – 20 million Korean won, equivalent to roughly fifteen thousand US dollars. However, Yoon told the court that the money and gifts were never actually given to the politician.

According to the Chosun Ilbo, the testimony emerged during a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court as part of a broader trial concerning possible violations of the Political Funds Act. Several individuals connected to Unificationism are facing scrutiny in the proceedings, including the organization’s leader Hak Ja Han (한학자) – also called Mother Han – and Jeong Won-ju (정원주), who previously worked as the head of Mother Han’s secretariat. Prosecutors are examining whether money or valuables were used to cultivate political connections or influence public officials. The defense, meanwhile, has been questioning witnesses in an effort to clarify what actually happened and whether any illegal transfers of money took place.

During questioning by attorneys representing Hak Ja Han (83), Yoon was asked about a meeting he had with former lawmaker Kim Sung-tae (김성태) on 16^th December 2021. The meeting took place at a restaurant in Yeouido, a district of Seoul that houses South Korea’s National Assembly and many political offices. Yoon explained that he did not personally arrange the meeting. Instead, he said it had been set up through an introduction from Yoon Jung-ro (윤정로), who previously served as vice chairman of the newspaper Segye Ilbo, a publication historically associated with Unificationism.

When asked whether he had informed Mother Han about the meeting beforehand, Yoon Yeong-ho (윤영호) responded that he might have mentioned it but could not say with certainty. He added that he generally spoke casually with the religious leader about the people he met during his activities, implying that such meetings were not necessarily treated as formal reports or official matters.

The Chosun Ilbo report mentions that a key point of the court’s questioning concerned what Yoon brought with him to the meeting. Lawyers asked whether he had prepared a gift set and 20 million won in cash when he went to see Kim Sung-tae. Yoon acknowledged that he believed this was the case. However, he suggested that the items may not have been intended specifically for Kim himself. According to Yoon, the idea to prepare the money and gifts may have come from Yoon Jung-ro (윤정로), who reportedly said such items might be necessary. Yoon Yeong-ho described the money as something connected to broader activities rather than a clearly designated payment for any particular individual.

The defense then pressed further, asking whether the cash and gifts were meant to be handed over to Kim or other political figures. Yoon said he did not know for certain. He told the court that the items remained in the trunk of his car and were never taken out during the meeting. In other words, although he had brought them with him, he said that they were never delivered to the former lawmaker.

Yoon also addressed the origin of the 20 million won. He testified that the money had been provided by Mother Han as what he described as “special activity funds”. He emphasized that the money did not belong to him personally, implying that it was intended for use in the course of his organizational duties rather than for private purposes.

Another figure mentioned during the hearing was Yoon Jung-ro (윤정로), the former newspaper executive who had introduced Yoon Yeong-ho to various politicians. According to information discussed in court, Yoon Jung-ro played a role in arranging contacts between Yoon Yeong-ho and several members of the People Power Party. One of these was Kweon Seong-dong (권성동), a sitting lawmaker from the party. Reports indicate that on 17^th November 2021, Yoon Jung-ro sent messages to Yoon Yeong-ho saying he had already met with both Kweon and Kim. The following day, he reportedly sent another message indicating that he would arrange a meeting between Yoon and Kweon as well.

The testimony about the meeting with Kim Sung-tae (김성태) is only one element of the wider investigation surrounding the alleged political ties of the religious movement that Mother Han now leads. The case has attracted significant attention in South Korea partly because it directly or indirectly affects millions of believers. It appears to be part of a wider crackdown by the current left-leaning Lee Jae-myung (이재명) administration on large churches and religious movements perceived as aligned with conservative politics.

The Yeouido Full Gospel Church, known as the world’s largest church, has been targeted. It has historically been associated with anti-communist activism and conservative social causes. So has the Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul. Its head pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon (전광훈), former president of the Christian Council of Korea, has organized several mass rallies in support of the former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열), a conservative.

Another Christian leader investigated and sentenced recently for mixing politics into his message from the pulpit is Protestant pastor Kim Jin‑hong (김진홍) of the “Dure Monastery Community” (두레수도원) which is part of a broader network of institutions he created, including churches, schools, and intentional communities.

Pastor Son Hyun-bo (손현보) of the large Segyero Church in Busan was similarly sentenced for “unlawful electioneering” because of – according to himself – urging congregants to support candidates sympathetic to traditional Christian values.

Among the most prominent targets of recent raids and investigations are two large new religious movements – the Shincheonji Church of Jesus [See editor’s note below] and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, co-founded and currently led by Mother Han (83).

Investigations into their finances or political activities is interpreted by supporters as ideological targeting. Critics of the government argue that prosecutors are selectively focusing on conservative religious networks rather than all political-religious connections.

According to the Chosun Ilbo article, for now, the court proceedings are focused on establishing the facts – specifically whether money or gifts were actually transferred to politicians and whether such actions violated political funding laws. Yoon Yeong-ho’s testimony suggests that although money and gifts may have been prepared for the meeting in question, he insists they were never handed over. Determining whether that account is accurate will likely be a central issue as the trial continues.

See also Trump Adviser’s Praise for Mother Han Noticed

See also Faith as Door-Opener in Informal Diplomacy

See also Spiritual Advisor as Diplomatic Intermediary

See also Accelerated Trial Schedule for Mother Han (83)

See also Testimony Dispute Takes Center Stage in Trial

See also Update on Trial Proceedings of Mother Han (83)

See also More Humanity Even in A Communist Prison?

See also Indictment Language Challenged by Defense

Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: South Korean trial about religion, politics, and money. Illustration: Chat GPT 16th March 2026

[Editor’s note: Shincheonji, officially known as Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, is a new religious movement founded in South Korea in 1984 by Lee Man-hee, who claims to be the promised pastor mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Revelation. Shincheonji teaches that the Book of Revelation is being fulfilled through its church and that Lee Man-hee has received divine revelation to interpret it.]

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See also Unificationism Emerging as a World Religion

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