A joint police-prosecution team ended a 237-day investigation into alleged political and financial misconduct involving Shincheonji Church and the Unification Church. Authorities indicted 32 people, including Shincheonji General Director Lee Man-hee and Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, arrested four and seized 26 billion won ($19 million) from safes belonging to Han. Investigators said Shincheonji organized the enrollment of tens of thousands of followers in the People Power Party between June 2021 and April 2024 to influence political circles and address church-related issues. Lee and others allegedly assigned membership quotas across 12 branches and pressured some followers to join before presidential, local, party leadership and National Assembly elections. Separate allegations involved the mobilization of about 30 Shincheonji followers in a Democratic Party of Korea primary. The task force also accused former Shincheonji General Secretary Go of embezzling approximately 1.906 billion won, receiving 4.1 billion won from 12 branch leaders for construction costs, and pursuing real estate projects without Lee’s approval. Shincheonji allegedly evaded about 7.57 billion won in taxes between 2016 and 2020 through convenience stores registered under followers’ names and dual accounting books. The Unification Church was accused of making 219 illegal donations totaling approximately 189 million won to 132 politicians between March 2019 and January 2025. Han allegedly embezzled about 10.5 billion won between January 2017 and May 2025, keeping the money in a bedroom safe for political donations, lobbying, gifts and luxury purchases. Bribery allegations involving current Busan mayor and former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Chun Jae-soo were dismissed in April for lack of evidence, while four aides remain indicted without arrest for alleged evidence destruction.