The Joint Investigation Headquarters for Church–State Collusion Corruption concluded its operations on August 31, 2026, 237 days after its launch. The headquarters said it had indicted or referred to trial a total of 32 people: 16 Shincheonji figures, including Lee Man-hee, and 16 Unification Church figures, including Han Hak-ja.
The most notable disposition in the results is Lee Man-hee’s indictment in custody. Four Shincheonji figures, including Lee Man-hee, were indicted in custody, while the remaining 12 were indicted without detention. Han Hak-ja and other Unification Church figures were also among those indicted.
The key is to distinguish the fact that someone was “indicted” from a determination that they were “found guilty.”
Findings From the Shincheonji Investigation
The headquarters said it determined that Shincheonji had coerced its members to join the People Power Party from 2021 to 2024 in order to exert influence over the political sphere, with at least 56,472 members joining.
It also said it confirmed that, from 2016 to 2020, Shincheonji operated cafeterias at 70 local churches nationwide under members’ names and maintained double sets of books, evading 7.57 billion won in corporate and value-added taxes.
The main figures identified in the Shincheonji investigation are as follows.
- Estimated number of People Power Party memberships: at least 56,472
- Scope of the cafeteria operation investigation: 70 local churches nationwide
- Estimated tax evasion: 7.57 billion won
- Number of Shincheonji figures indicted: 16
26 Billion Won Seized From Han Hak-ja: Distinguish It From the Alleged Embezzlement Amount
The headquarters said it seized 26 billion won in cash from Han Hak-ja’s personal safe and initiated procedures to preserve the potential confiscation of the assets. However, this does not mean that the entire amount has been established as embezzled money or criminal proceeds.
According to an MBC report, Han Hak-ja was investigated on suspicion of embezzling 10.5 billion won in church assets. The Unification Church explained that the funds were religious offerings spent for public purposes. Therefore, “26 billion won seized” and “10.5 billion won allegedly embezzled” are different figures with different meanings and should be recorded separately.
No Politicians Were Indicted
Yonhap News reported that 132 politicians were excluded from indictment in the investigation into the Unification Church’s political funding. The headquarters reportedly confirmed that, from 2019 to 2025, the Unification Church made 219 illegal donations totaling 189 million won to 132 politicians.
Some suspected political connections related to Lee Man-hee were referred to the police. However, the allegations in the referred case have not been established, and no basis has been presented to conclude that the 132 politicians knew the donations were illegal.
Previous Final Judgments Are Separate From the Current Indictments
In 2022, the Supreme Court finalized Lee Man-hee’s acquittal on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act in connection with obstructing COVID-19 disease-control measures. The lower court’s guilty findings on some charges, including embezzlement and obstruction of business, were also finalized.
This case concerns new indictments and referrals to trial by the Joint Investigation Headquarters in 2026. Whether the specific charges result in convictions will be determined by final court judgments.