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Ex-Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo Questioned in Unification Church Bribery Probe

Police test seized records for links between church events, illicit payments.

Overview

  • Chun appeared at a Seoul police station as a suspect over allegations he received 20 million won in cash and a Bulgari watch in 2018, which he denies.
  • Investigators questioned detained church leader Han Hak-ja and asked about control over alleged bribes and cash bundles totaling 28 billion won found earlier by a special counsel.
  • Police questioned Han’s former chief of staff Jeong Won-ju as a witness regarding suspected deliveries of cash and luxury watches to Chun, Lim Jong-seong and Kim Gyu-hwan from 2018 to 2020.
  • Raids recovered invitation letters addressed to Chun plus internal reports and accounting documents, and police are pursuing the watch, its receipt and a 2019 bulk purchase of 500 copies of Chun’s book for 10 million won.
  • Authorities hold an additional search-and-seizure warrant valid through Jan. 14 and have searched sites linked to Chun, the church headquarters and Han’s residence.