According to a report by Reuters on December 15, South Korean police launched a raid on the 15th to search Seoul and nearby “Unification Church” offices and courtyards, including a large building in the northeastern part of the capital that serves as its international headquarters. Police said searches are being carried out at 10 locations of the sect. According to Yonhap News Agency, the search is related to rumors that the “Unification Church” illegally paid money to some cabinet members and current and former members of parliament. The rumor involved the religious leader Han Hak-ja. South Korea's Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries resigned last week to focus on refuting these alleged “false rumors” and preventing the incident from tarnishing the work of President Lee Jae-myung's administration. According to reports, the “Unification Church” said in a statement last week that it had nothing to do with the “crossing of borders” by a former employee of the Church. Han Hak-zi, the leader of the “Unification Church,” is on trial. She is charged with bribing former First Lady Kim Gun-hee in exchange for commercial gain. Han Hak-ja denied the accusations.

According to a report by Reuters on December 15, South Korean police launched a raid on the 15th to search Seoul and nearby “Unification Church” offices and courtyards, including a large building in the northeastern part of the capital that serves as its international headquarters. Police said searches are being carried out at 10 locations of the sect. According to Yonhap News Agency, the search is related to rumors that the “Unification Church” illegally paid money to some cabinet members and current and former members of parliament. The rumor involved the religious leader Han Hak-ja. South Korea's Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries resigned last week to focus on refuting these alleged “false rumors” and preventing the incident from tarnishing the work of President Lee Jae-myung's administration. According to reports, the “Unification Church” said in a statement last week that it had nothing to do with the “crossing of borders” by a former employee of the Church. Han Hak-zi, the leader of the “Unification Church,” is on trial. She is charged with bribing former First Lady Kim Gun-hee in exchange for commercial gain. Han Hak-ja denied the accusations.