South Korea's Lee calls for probe into links between religious group and politics

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for an investigation into suspected illegal ties between a religious group and politicians, according to a statement from the presidential office on Wednesday.

Lee emphasized that the investigation should apply "no matter whether (a politician is from the) ruling or opposition party, a high or low position," the statement said. The statement did not identify the religious group involved.

During a livestreamed cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee said he had instructed his ministers to explore ways to "disband religious groups that meddle in politics and do strange things with illegal funds." He also inquired about how South Korea’s process for dissolving a religious group compares to Japan’s system.

Lee’s office clarified that the president had not singled out any particular religious group. However, some politicians have suggested his comments were aimed at the Unification Church, whose leader, Han Hak-ja, is on trial for allegedly bribing former first lady Kim Keon Hee in exchange for political favors. Han has denied any wrongdoing.

The case is part of a series of investigations by special prosecutors into former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim, following Yoon’s martial law order in December 2024.

A former Unification Church official reportedly told special prosecutors that lawmakers in Lee’s ruling party also received funds from the church, according to South Korean media. Police have been asked to investigate any contacts between ruling party members and the Unification Church, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the Unification Church did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.

In Japan, a Tokyo district court ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church in March, a ruling currently under appeal. -Joyce Lee and Heejin Kim/Reuters