South Korea investigates ex-Democratic lawmaker over Unification Church payments and gifts

A former Busan-based lawmaker from South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party is under investigation by a special joint task force of prosecutors and police over alleged payments and gifts from the Unification Church, according to local officials. The case centers on whether the church provided money and luxury items to the politician in 2018.

The politician, Jeon Jae-su, arrived at the joint investigation office on the first floor of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office building in Seocho District, Seoul, around 10 a.m. on the 19th, and told reporters he would cooperate and hoped for a swift conclusion. He declined to discuss specifics and said he would answer questions later.

Asked whether he received cash or a luxury watch, whether there were any requests tied to current issues such as an undersea tunnel project, or whether aides attempted to destroy evidence, Jeon said he would speak further at a later time.

Prosecutors allege that Jeon accepted 20 million won in cash and a luxury watch valued at around 10 million won from the Unification Church in 2018 when he was serving as a Busan district lawmaker. The joint task force has previously carried out searches at Jeon’s National Assembly office and with office staff on the 10th of last month.

The day before the 19th, investigators also summoned Jeon’s wife, identified in reports as Ms. Choi, as a witness. The investigation is expected to probe whether the church provided money and whether there were any solicitations linked to church interests on current policy issues.

Separately, Jeon has announced his intention to run for mayor of Busan in the June local elections, highlighting the political gravity of the case as it unfolds ahead of a major local vote.

Why this matters to the United States: Seoul’s ongoing anti-corruption enforcement and scrutiny of political fundraising and religious groups has broader implications for U.S. interests. Korea is a key U.S. ally with a large, defense-oriented security partnership and extensive East Asian supply chains. Stable governance and a transparent political-financial environment support American businesses operating in Korea, influence regulatory predictability, and impact market confidence in a region that includes critical ports, manufacturing hubs, and technology supply chains.