Seoul targets Family Federation, other churches, in alleged bribery probe of former first lady

SEOUL, South Korea — The vortex of scandals surrounding former South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee has sucked in the Family Federation, formerly known as the Unification Church.

The Federation is accused of offering bribes to the wife of impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol before his 2022 inauguration in exchange for political favors.

According to media reports citing investigators, a former Federation official is alleged to have passed gifts worth more than $14,000 — a Chanel handbag and high-end jewelry — to Ms. Kim.

In return for the gifts, the Federation allegedly sought Seoul’s backing for a development project in Cambodia and support for the Federation’s attempt, since abandoned, to acquire an influential Korean cable news channel. The Federation official also allegedly sought an invitation to Mr. Yoon’s inauguration.

A spokesman for the Federation said its spiritual leader, Hak Ja Han Moon, will be vindicated and sharply criticized the raids conducted last week on the organization’s locations, including its headquarters in Cheongpyeong, which many followers of the Unification Church consider sacred ground.

“The Family Federation has always cooperated fully with governmental inquiries — not just in Korea, but around the world. We have shown respect even when our beliefs were misunderstood, even when our practices were questioned. That cooperation was not returned,” said the Rev. Damian Dunkley, president of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (USA), in a statement.

The Family Federation is hardly the only target of the government, which is investigating several conservative churches as part of its probe of the former first lady, her husband, their associates and various governmental agencies and private organizations. Seoul is deploying a colossal array of cross-agency resources to the probe, including the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, the Supreme Prosecutors Office, the national police and the military police.

Those under investigation range from shamans to the head of the army’s Drone Operations Command.

“Religious communities that hold beliefs divergent from the ruling party are being systematically targeted for investigation, branded by public opinion, and tried in the court of social judgment. This is not just a problem for one religion; it is a structural threat to freedom of faith itself,” Na Kyung-won, a member of parliament from Mr. Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP), said in a Facebook post.

“The government’s goal is clear — to silence both political opposition and the spiritual conscience of the faith community, thereby monopolizing power. This isn’t a legal procedure; it’s intimidation and coercion,” she said.

The Federation, a religion founded in Korea that promotes conservative family values globally, has charitable, business and media interests, including The Washington Times newspaper. Mrs. Moon is the widow of Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon.

Italian scholar Massimo Introvigne, a leading authority on religious freedom, called the probe a politically motivated crackdown on conservative religion.

“Some Korean politicians have been influenced by both Japan and China that, in different ways, actively promote the belief that religions advocating for conservative values — including the Family Federation, but not limited to it — are toxic and dangerous,” he said.

Former Indiana Congressman Dan Burton, who is co-chair of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, said he was “shocked and outraged” by the raids.

“Religious Freedom is the bedrock of all freedoms. When I see the raids on major churches in Korea because of their conservative values, I am outraged. Especially concerning Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon who is the most significant Religious Leader for Peace that I have ever seen,” he said.

Special investigators and police swarmed the worship complex of the Federation in Gapyeong, a county located about 30 miles northeast of Seoul, on Friday.

Other units raided Federation offices in Yongsan, Seoul.

The massive search-and-seizure operation in Cheongpyeong on Friday was “not law enforcement — it was political theater, conducted with unnecessary force,” said Mr. Dunkley.

“Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon — lovingly known around the world as Holy Mother Han, the Mother of Peace — was treated as though she were a threat to society. She is not. She is a spiritual leader of the highest moral authority,” said Mr. Dunkley.

Mr. Yoon was impeached after declaring martial law in December.