Shon Duk-ho, Kim Woo-young
CHOSUNBIZ
April 10, 2026
Prosecutors and police on the 10th closed the case against Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Chun Jae-soo (former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries), who faced allegations of receiving money and valuables from the Unification Church, citing expiration of the statute of limitations or insufficient evidence, and concluded it as no right of indictment and no suspicion. Chun was confirmed the previous day (the 9th) as the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Busan mayor.
The joint investigation headquarters of prosecutors and police probing alleged collusion between state and religion (the Joint Investigation Headquarters on State–Religion Collusion Corruption, hereinafter the "headquarters") announced the results of its investigation that day into the case concerning "alleged acceptance of money and valuables by former and incumbent lawmakers." The headquarters was launched on Jan. 6 and has investigated related cases for three months.
◇On the day the watch was received, Aug. 21, 2018… "Cannot specify the amount," 7-year statute of limitations applies
Chun has faced charges of taking bribes and violating the Political Funds Act on allegations that on Aug. 21, 2018, at the Unification Church's Cheonjeong Palace in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Chun accepted requests concerning the "Korea–Japan undersea tunnel project" from President Han Hak-ja and others and received one luxury watch and cash worth between 20 million won and 30 million won. The headquarters closed the investigation as "no right of indictment."
According to the headquarters' findings, combining statements from those involved, including former Unification Church world headquarters head Yoon Young-ho, and the results of search and seizure, the time when Chun is suspected to have been provided luxury goods and money, including a Cartier watch worth 7.85 million won, from the Unification Church side is Aug. 21, 2018.
Following President Han, former Unification Church secretary's office chief Jung Won-ju, known as the "No. 2 of the Unification Church," purchased one Cartier watch on Feb. 9, 2018. It was confirmed that an acquaintance of Chun had the watch repaired in July 2019. The current price of this watch is in the 12 million won range.
The statute of limitations for violations of the Political Funds Act is seven years. Seven years after the date money or valuables were received, prosecution is barred even if the crime is recognized. However, if bribery charges are applied, the statute of limitations varies by the amount received: seven years for under 30 million won, 10 years for 30 million won or more and under 100 million won, and 15 years for 100 million won or more.
The headquarters determined that the total value of the watch and cash Chun received from the Unification Church side was under 30 million won and applied a seven-year statute of limitations. In that case, the deadline for prosecutors to indict Chun was last year.
An official at the headquarters said, "Former headquarters head Yoon did not directly witness the contents of the money and valuables delivered, and there is no other basis to specify the amount," adding, "It is difficult to view the money and valuables provided, including the watch, as 30 million won or more, so it is determined that the statute of limitations (seven years) has run." The official also noted that regarding Chun receiving cash, former headquarters head Yoon's statement is effectively the only evidence.
Previously, when the special counsel team of Min Joong-ki investigated various allegations involving first lady Kim Keon-hee, it investigated People Power Party lawmakers, including Kweon Seong-dong, based on former headquarters head Yoon's notes and other materials. However, for Democratic Party of Korea figures, although clues of collusion with the Unification Church emerged, there was no investigation. After the special counsel's activity period ended, the case was transferred to police, and the headquarters investigated after it was launched. The People Power Party criticized that the special counsel and the headquarters were conducting a "lenient investigation."
◇Allegations of requests related to the relocation of Sunhwa Arts Middle and High School found "insufficient evidence," no suspicion
On Oct. 28, 2019, the Unification Church purchased 500 copies of Chun's autobiography for 10 million won. It faced suspicion that this was payment for requests related to the transfer of Sunhwa Arts Middle and High School under the Unification Church, and in March the headquarters additionally booked Chun on charges of violating the Political Funds Act and receiving bribes.
The headquarters concluded no suspicion, determining there were no circumstances to see that the Unification Church side met Chun or made specific requests around the time it bought the books, and that there was insufficient evidence to view that Chun recognized the Unification Church's purchase of the books.
The police investigation team within the headquarters decided not to refer the case, concluding no right of indictment and no suspicion regarding Chun's alleged violations of the Political Funds Act and receipt of bribes. Prosecutors, after reviewing the records, determined there were no illegal or improper aspects and returned the records that were forwarded as a non-referral that day.
◇Chun Jae-soo's aides on evidence destruction charges indicted without detention
The headquarters indicted without detention four of Chun's aides suspected of destroying evidence, saying the charges were substantiated. They are accused of initializing PCs in Chun's constituency office in Busan after media reported suspicions that Chun received money and valuables and when police searches were anticipated.
However, the headquarters said it did not confirm that Chun ordered the destruction of evidence. Chun's side explained, "It was done in the process of an employee organizing personal files."
Former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lim Jong-seong and former United Future Party (UFP) lawmaker Kim Gyu-hwan, who faced allegations along with Chun of receiving money and valuables from the Unification Church, also received no-suspicion dispositions.
The headquarters determined that former lawmaker Lim maintained relations with the Unification Church side from 2016 to 2023 and that it is recognized he attended various events. Former lawmaker Kim also maintained relations with the Unification Church side. From 2018 to 2021, he attended various events organized by the Unification Church and its affiliated groups and visited Cheonwon Complex in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, on Feb. 8, 2020.
The headquarters concluded that for former lawmakers Lim and Kim, aside from former headquarters head Yoon's statements, there was no other evidence to support suspicions of receiving money and valuables, and that the specific amounts received and the circumstances of provision were unclear, so the suspicions were not substantiated.
President Han and others accused of handing money and valuables to them also received dispositions of no right of indictment and no suspicion.
The headquarters said, "In addition to this case, we plan to conduct strict and swift investigations into allegations raised against specific religious organizations, such as illegal political donations using organizational funds by the Unification Church, forced membership in a specific political party and tax evasion by Shincheonji, and embezzlement in the course of duty."
※ This article has been translated by AI. https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-society/2026/04/10/ENXDSAJY3ZFY7DBHVKEUAKN6SM/
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