Overview

• Special prosecutors conducted simultaneous raids on the Gapyeong and Seoul offices of the World Peace and Unification Family Federation, seizing documents and electronic records.
• Investigators are examining allegations that a former church executive provided luxury items, including brand-name handbags and a diamond necklace, to Kim Geon-hee in 2022.
• Prosecutors suspect the gifts were offered in return for Kim’s influence in obtaining government development aid for the church’s Cambodia projects, potentially breaching the Prohibition of Solicitation Act.
• The former executive has admitted to the gift allegations during voluntary questioning while the church insists those actions were independent and denies organizational involvement.
• These latest raids follow an April search of former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s residence and a travel ban on church leader Han Hak-ja, reflecting the expanded reach of South Korea’s new special prosecution office.