[25.12.16] Unification Church Lobbying Documents Revealed

Unification Church Documents Reveal Extensive Lobbying of South Korean Politicians

📍Strategy to manage ‘VIPs’ through six sectors confirmed, including lawmakers’ names and fund records

JTBC has obtained internal documents from the Unification Church that detail systematic lobbying efforts targeting South Korean politicians, including records of meetings, strategic instructions, and alleged financial support.

JTBC has obtained and released internal reports and fund disbursement documents detailing the Unification Church's organized lobbying activities targeting political circles.

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🔹 Strategy to Build “VIPs” Through Six Pillars
According to internal documents obtained by JTBC, the Unification Church-affiliated Universal Peace Federation held a strategic briefing in April 2021, one year ahead of the presidential election. The briefing, titled “Special Leadership Assembly for the Establishment of a New Unified Korea,” was chaired by Moon Yeon-ah, daughter-in-law of church leader Han Hak-ja.

The documents describe politics, economy, academia, media, and other sectors as “six pillars” and outline plans to identify and manage “VIPs,” defined primarily as incumbent lawmakers.

🔹 Meetings and Photos with Lawmakers
The report includes photographs of meetings with lawmakers—two from the Democratic Party and six from the People Power Party—as well as images of former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Kyu-hwan delivering a congratulatory speech at a church-related event.

It also states that 23 current and former lawmakers were personally met and given Han Hak-ja’s autobiography, and that approximately 70 high-level VIPs participated in meetings and educational sessions between June 2020 and April 2021.

🔹 “Make the Blue House and National Assembly Come to Us”
The documents emphasize that these activities were carried out under direct instructions from Han Hak-ja, quoting her as saying that leaders of the Blue House and the National Assembly should be made to approach the church first.

🔹 Documents Showing Financial Support
JTBC also obtained documents indicating financial payments to politicians. One document states that Kim Kyu-hwan was appointed as an advisor from June to December 2020 and paid 10 million won per month, totaling 70 million won.

Of this amount, 14 million won was processed as advisory fees through electronic approval, with final authorization by Yoon Young-ho, former head of the church’s global headquarters.

🔹 Conflicting Statements
While Kim has denied receiving any money, the official documents contradict his claim. Yoon previously testified to special prosecutors that he provided tens of millions of won to Kim and other lawmakers.

🔹 Dozens of Lawmakers Listed as Members
JTBC’s investigation found that 44 current and former lawmakers were registered as members of the organization, including former Minister Jeon Jae-soo and former lawmaker Lim Jong-sung. Requests for further comment from Kim went unanswered.

One-line summary : Internal documents reveal the Unification Church’s systematic lobbying strategy targeting lawmakers, including alleged financial support.