South Korea’s Lee Orders Probe Into Religious Group’s Political Ties

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered an investigation into suspected illegal links between a religious group and political figures, his office said Wednesday.

The probe should apply “regardless of whether the politician is from the ruling or opposition party, or holds a high or low position,” the presidential office said in a statement, which did not name the religious group involved.

During a livestreamed cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee instructed ministers to explore ways to “disband religious groups that meddle in politics and do strange things with illegal funds,” and asked how South Korea’s dissolution process compares with Japan’s. His spokesperson later stressed that Lee had not singled out any specific organization.

Some lawmakers, however, said his remarks appeared to target the Unification Church. Its leader, Han Hak-ja, is currently on trial for allegedly bribing former first lady Kim Keon Hee in exchange for political favors—a charge Han denies. The case is among several special prosecutor investigations into ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife following Yoon’s December 2024 martial law order.

South Korean media have reported that a former Unification Church official told investigators that members of Lee’s ruling party also received funds from the group. Police have been asked to examine any such contacts, Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday.

The Unification Church declined to immediately comment.

In Japan, a Tokyo district court ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church in March, a ruling that is now under appeal.