Gapyeong: Police on Wednesday raided the home of a former close aide of Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja as part of their investigation into allegations the church bribed former Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo, officials said. A special investigation team conducted the search and seizure at the home of Jeong Won-ju, Han's former chief secretary, in the central county of Gapyeong amid a widening probe into bribery allegations surrounding the church.

According to Yonhap News Agency, police have been investigating claims that Chun received 20 million won (US$13,800) in cash and a Bulgari watch worth 10 million won from the church in 2018. The raid occurred a day after police transferred Jeong, Han, and other suspects to the prosecution for their alleged involvement in making illegal donations to politicians in 2019.

Meanwhile, police were questioning a former head of the Universal Peace Federation affiliated with the Unification Church, surnamed Park, as a witness. Authorities are examining whether Park acted as an intermediary between the church and politicians.