Stranger Things

May & June 2025

May 4: The UC Dissolution & Japan's Evolving Religious Governance (East Asia Forum)

QuoteBut the state still maintains a high degree of discretion in its relationships with organisations registered under the Religious Juridical Persons Law. Aum Shinrikyo was the first to be dissolved through a court order, upheld by the Supreme Court in 1996, and the three decades since have seen only two more such incidents. In 2002, the Myokakuji group was dissolved after its leaders were convicted of fraud and in 2006, the Osaka High Court upheld a decision to dissolve the religious corporation Dainichizan Hokekyoji following a civil lawsuit involving a dispute between private actors.

June 2: Opinion - Japan Needs anti-SLAPP Laws As Journalist Sued by UC Affiliates (Mainichi Shimbun)

April 2025

April 8: UC to Defy Order in Japan to Dissolve With Mass Wedding (Korea JoongAng Daily)

QuoteThe Unification Church will stand strong against the "religious oppression" of the Japanese judiciary and marry off 5,000 couples this weekend, the Korean church's leader said Tuesday.

April 8: Hokkaido Group Set as Recipient of UC Assets (The Japan Times)

QuoteThe Unification Church designated 16 years ago a religious corporation in Hokkaido as the recipient of its assets in case it is disbanded. A group of lawyers working to help victims of the Unification Church fear that the possible transfer of assets may enable the effective continuation of its religious activities and give rise to new damage.

The 2009 decision immediately followed a police raid on a Unification Church facility after believers were arrested by Tokyo police over the high-priced sale of seals.

April 14: In the Shadow of a Murder: Religious Freedom Vs the Social Good in Japan (Professor Roy Starrs, PhD. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs)

QuoteThe assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzō Abe exposed unexpected ties between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Unification Church, a global religious organization founded in South Korea and notorious for its abusive practices. The incident reignited one of Japan's most controversial debates: the intersection of politics and religion. This article examines the historical instances of collusion between the state and church in Japan, analyzing how these dynamics played a role in Shinzō Abe's assassination. It argues that Japanese lawmakers must take steps to sever ties with such religious organizations, in accordance with the country's post-war Constitution. Additionally, it calls for clearer legislation to both protect and compensate victims of religious abuse while balancing the delicate task of preserving religious freedom and regulating harmful religious practices.

April 23: 'Happiness, Love' at Moonie Mass Wedding After Japanese Court Blow (France 24)

QuoteSince the 1960s, the church is believed to have generated as much as 80 percent of its global revenues from Japan, according to Levi McLaughlin, a religious studies professor at North Carolina State University. During Japan's 1980s bubble economy, its branch reportedly sent up to 10 billion yen ($70 million) per month to the South Korean headquarters.

Japanese followers are told to "atone" for the country's colonial past, and McLaughlin told AFP the mass weddings have been framed as a form of "indemnity". The church plays a role in match-making couples, experts say, with Japanese women often matched with non-Japanese men -- and critics slam the cult-like cutting of family ties that sometimes results.

March 2025

March 25: Court Orders Unification Church Demise Over Donations (Asahi Shimbun)

QuoteIf the dissolution order is finalized, the group will lose its status as a religious corporation, depriving it of tax benefits such as exemption from corporate tax on income from its religious activities. However, the religious activities themselves, such as faith and proselytizing, will not be prohibited.

March 26: UC Victims Voice Joy Over Stripping of Group's Legal Status (The Japan Times)

QuoteA woman in her 30s whose father is still a believer said that he and her mother, a former believer, have donated at least several tens of millions of yen to the Unification Church. "It wasn't an organization that should have received tax benefits as a religious corporation," she said, expressing her happiness with the order.

A man in his 60s whose wife is a former follower of the group called Tuesday's court order "a milestone." Noting that some people are likely to continue to believe the teachings of the Unification Church even after it loses its status as a religious corporation, he said, "I hope the families of believers will raise their voices and seek help, including from public consultation services."

Tatsuo Hashida, 67, who leads a group of victims and their supporters in Kochi Prefecture, said his former wife donated ¥100 million ($665,000) to the Unification Church. "The order is no surprise," Hashida told a news conference in the city of Kochi. "I knew how bad (the Unification Church) was, so I believed the order would be issued."

March 26: Court Wary of Future Harm from Unification Church, Deems Illegal Donations Were Systemic, Prolonged (The Japan News/Yomuri Shimbun)

QuoteWith the harm caused by the Unification Church amounting to more than ¥20 billion over four decades, the Tokyo District Court focused on the scale of the damage and deemed that the organization systematically solicited illegal donations when it ordered the church's dissolution on Tuesday. ...

"The harm caused by the Unification Church accumulated over a long period of time and affected a wide range of people, which must have led to the impression that the group's characteristic of tolerating illegal acts has not changed," a veteran judge said about Tuesday's decision. ...

The district court acknowledged the ministry's assertion that over ¥20 billion in damage occurred over a 40-year period, with most of it inflicted as part of the Unification Church's religious activities. The court then concluded that it "can be said that in terms of societal norms, these were acts of the religious organization." A veteran judge said, "With this many serious illegal acts presented, a court can't disregard them just because they weren't criminal cases."

March 27: What is The Unification Church & Why Does it Face Dissolution in Japan? (ABC Australia)

QuoteDr Jeffrey Hall from Kanda University of International Studies told the ABC's The World program the Liberal Democratic Party was still dealing with the fallout. "More than half of the party was involved in some way, be it attending church events or relying on volunteers from the church, or appearing in church-sponsored publications," Mr Hall said.

Donald Trump, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush all had links with the organisation at some stage. Former prime minster Abe had spoken at a church-affiliated event previously. Donald Trump did too before coming US leader. "It's said that Donald Trump received more than $US2 million to speak at some of their events,"  Mr Hall said. "They [politicians] lent credibility to the church and thus helped the church to raise money ... and convince people, or the people's families that, 'we're not a shady organisation, it's OK to give lots of money to us — look, Donald Trump is speaking on our behalf," he said.

March 27: Editorial: Relief for Victims of Unification Church Remains a Top Priority (Asahi Shimbun)

March 27: Head of Japan's UC Vows to Fight Loss of Legal Protections (Reuters)

QuoteThe head of the Unification Church's Japan branch vowed to fight a court order revoking its legal protections, following a scandal over fundraising practices and links to the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe. Tomihiro Tanaka, the Japanese president of the group now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, told reporters on Thursday the group had settled all cases of damages levelled against it and the court's order was an attack on religious freedom.

This marks the third time a Japanese court has acted to dissolve a religious corporation due to legal breaches, according to public broadcaster NHK. The first two involved Aum Shinrikyo, a cult that carried out a fatal sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway 30 years ago, and a temple group involved in fraud, NHK said.

March 28: Japan's UC Leader Hits Out at Dissolution Order (Union of Catholic Education News)

January & February 2025

Jan. 10: Why Are There So Many Cults in Japan? (Japan Today)

QuoteSocietal upheaval and social turmoil have played major roles in the development of cults in Japan. A few major cults originated in the 1860s during the violent Bakumatsu period, right before the Meiji restoration. However, the past century has seen a major development in the number of new religions, or "cults," in Japan.

Experts suggest that the end of emperor worship and the abolition of State Shinto after WWII created a spiritual vacuum in Japan. The Allied occupation also reshaped Japan's government, lifting censorship on religious organizations and granting them tax exemptions. During the economic boom of the 1970s and 1980s, growing alienation from an increasingly materialistic society drove many Japanese people toward new religions, leading to the rise of more cults and gurus.

In recent years, the number of new members joining these new religions has increased while attendance at traditional places of worship like Buddhist temples has declined. Today, there are about 183,000 officially registered religions in Japan, and about 2,000 of them have a substantial following. Some are not even religions at all but cover for organized crime or tax evasion. It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of Japan's population is connected to one of these new religions. ...

Although Abe was not a member of the Unification Church, he appeared remotely as a speaker at a church event in 2021. Additionally, his grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, is believed to have cultivated ties with the church due to their shared anti-communist ideology. Following Abe's assassination, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida launched an investigation into the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). It revealed that nearly half of its lawmakers (179 out of 379) had some form of connection to the Unification Church.

Feb. 4: 'Grave Consequences': Japan Warned on Campaign Against Church (Ben Wolfgang for the UC-Owned Washington Times)

QuoteJapan would deal a massive blow to the universal principle of religious freedom, could deeply damage its relationship with the U.S. and would hand a major win to communist China if it follows through with an effort to punish the Unification Church, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich warned.

Mr. Gingrich and other prominent political and spiritual figures Tuesday night told this week's International Religious Freedom Summit 2025 in Washington that the Japanese government's push to dissolve the Unification Church and seize its assets is the most recent communist-backed attack on the church, which has operated in the country since the late 1950s.

"The Biden administration has already condemned this activity. The United Nations has already condemned this activity. And now, with President Trump, we have somebody who is deeply, passionately committed to religious liberty," Mr. Gingrich said in a prerecorded video address to the summit.

2024 Cont.

Aug. 27: Unification Church Hit With Fresh Fines for Impeding Government Inquiry (Kyodo News)

QuoteA Japanese court on Tuesday fined the Unification Church with a 100,000 yen ($690) penalty for refusing to respond to the government's inquiry into its alleged illegal donation solicitations. Upholding a lower court decision, the Tokyo High Court rejected the controversial religious organization's appeal. The group has come under renewed public scrutiny after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot in July 2022 during an election stump speech over his perceived links to the church.

Oct. 7: Ex-Staffer Details How Unification Church Backed an LDP Candidate (Asahi Shimbun)

QuoteAt the meeting, it was agreed that the religious groups would support the LDP candidates in the proportional representation section of the Upper House election.

The subsequent efforts that the religious groups made in supporting the LDP's elections has come to light from the man's story. The 43-year-old man who lives in Fukuoka was working in the Fukuoka office of Kitamura when he ran in the Upper House election for the first time in 2013. The man presented numerous documents from the office during the interview. ...

In mid-June 2013, a senior staff member at the office said, "The Federation for World Peace will support us in the election," to other staff members, soon after he returned from a business trip to Tokyo. The man became worried if it was acceptable to agree to the support, because he knew that the religious group was connected with the Unification Church through his experiences with political movements.

Nov. 28: How Will the Unification Church Scandal Pan Out? (Nippon)

July 2026

July 3: Trial for Kim Geon-hee Begins July 14 Over Alleged Election Interference (Asia First News Agency)

QuoteThe trial of Kim Geon-hee, accused of attempting to influence elections by enrolling members of the Unification Church ahead of the People Power Party's national convention, will officially commence next month.

On July 3, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 27, led by Judge Woo In-seong, held a preparatory hearing for the trial of Kim Geon-hee, Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, Jeon Seong-bae (known as Geon-jin Beopsa), former Unification Church Secretary General Jeon Won-joo, and former Unification Church World Headquarters Director Yoon Young-ho, who are all charged with violating party law. ...

The court announced that the first trial will begin on July 14, with evidence collection expected to start soon after. A verdict is anticipated by December 11 at the latest ...

July 9: Supreme Court Jails Ex-UC chief Yoon Young-ho for Bribery (Chosun Biz)

July 10: Special Counsel Seeks 13-Year Prison Term For UC Leader in Bribery Case (Yonhap News)

July 10: UC Leader Han Hak-ja Faces Closing Arguments in Church-Politics Collusion Case (Seoul Economic Daily)

July 16: Lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Accepting 100 Million Won from UC, Loses Parliamentary Seat (SBS News)

July 16: PPP Lawmaker Loses Seat After Court Finalizes Two-Year Prison Term for Accepting Illegal Funds (Yonhap News)

July 21: Ex-Police Chief Grilled by Special Counsel (Yonhap News)

July 21: Former Police Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun Summoned Again by Special Counsel Over Alleged Cover-up of UC Probe (SBS News)

Aug. 10: Kim Keon-hee Admits to Accepting Luxury Bag: "No Memory of Delivery, Found Later at Presidential Residence" (The Asia Business Daily)

2024 Cont.

July 6: Only 8% of Religious Group Followers' Children Back Government Remedy Steps (Kyodo News)

QuoteIn the survey, conducted in May and June with responses from 120 family members of avid followers of the Unification Church, Jehovah's Witnesses and other religious groups, 89 percent said they had been abused by their families and other relatives.

The survey also showed that 72 percent of respondents experienced hardship from people outside their families because of their faith, such as being bullied at school or denied access to higher education, underscoring a lack of adequate relief measures for them. ...

A total of 107 out of the 120 respondents said they had been abused by their families. Examples are forced adherence to faiths through threats of not paying school fees, restrictions imposed on who they can marry, physical violence, bloodshed, and whipping.

July 8: Two Years After Fatal Shooting of Abe, Unification Church Issues Remain (Kyodo News)

QuoteMonday marks two years since former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot, while issues related to the Unification Church and the plight of "second-generation" members of religious groups that drew attention afterward remain unsolved.

In the wake of the incident, the Japanese parliament enacted a law to ban maliciously solicited donations, while the government has requested the Tokyo District Court to issue an order to dissolve the Unification Church over donation solicitation practices.

Dissolution would deprive the group, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, of its tax benefits as a religious corporation, although the organization could still continue its activities in Japan.

Second-generation members say they are still struggling with the impact of being born into a family of avid followers, such as being denied access to higher education or employment. But the government's steps to provide remedies, including the implementation of the law to ban malicious solicitation of donations, are not enough, they said.

July 11: Top Court Rules That Pledge Not to Sue Unification Church is Invalid (Asahi Shimbun)

QuoteThe Supreme Court on July 11 ruled that a statement written by a former follower of the Unification Church promising not to seek compensation from the group is invalid, opening the door to her daughter pursuing damages. ...

In this lawsuit, the eldest daughter of a former Unification Church follower, who is deceased, is seeking 65.8 million yen ($407,000) in damages from the church and a church follower who solicited her mother to donate. The daughter, who is in her 60s, stated that the church and the follower "made her mother to donate money by stoking her anxiety that she would be unhappy if she did not donate."

July 11: Top Court Rules Unification Church No-Refund Document Invalid (Kyodo News)

QuoteJapan's top court on Thursday overturned a lower court ruling that had absolved the Unification Church from returning donations to the family of a late former member, deeming that a document the woman signed preventing her from seeking refunds was invalid.

In the first ruling by the Supreme Court on donations to the religious group, its First Petty Bench sent the case back to the Tokyo High Court, citing insufficient examination of whether the organization had acted illegally.

The woman's family is seeking around 65 million yen ($402,000) in damages from the group. Many other members are known to have signed and submitted similar documents to the Unification Church, which has been under renewed scrutiny since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated, allegedly by the disgruntled son of a member.

"If the way donations are solicited significantly deviates from societal norms, it is appropriate to deem it illegal," the court said, referring to circumstances where donors are unable to make informed decisions.

June 4: Shincheonji Sect Leader Probed Over Allegations of Forced Party Memberships, Political Ties (Korea JoongAng Daily)

June 13: Arrest Warrants Sought For Ex-Shincheonji Officials Over Suspicious Ties to Opposition Party (Yonhap News)

June 22: Investigators Seek Arrest Warrant for Shincheonji Leader Lee Man-hee

June 25: Leader of Secretive South Korean Church Arrested in Election Influence Investigation (ABC News)

June 28: Court Rejects Lee Man-hee's Bid for Release in People Power Enlistment Case (Chosun Biz)

June 29: Investigators Indict Shincheonji Sect Leader Over Forced PPP Memberships (The Korea Times)

July 3: Justice Minister Orders Probe Into Shincheonji Prison Guard Allegations (Seoul Economic Daily)

QuoteJustice Minister Jung Sung-ho said Wednesday he would launch an internal investigation and emergency inspection over allegations that a prison guard who is a Shincheonji follower gave special treatment to Lee Man-hee, chairman of the religious group, including staging a "fall accident" to secure his release on bail in 2020.

July 24: Shincheonji in Both Parties Under Investigation (Chosun Daily)

QuoteThe joint investigation team probing allegations of religious-political collusion involving the Unification Church and Shincheonji has confirmed it discovered signs of Shincheonji's organized collective membership not only in the People Power Party but also in the Democratic Party of Korea and is currently investigating

July 28: Investigators Allegedly Overlooked Shincheonji Sect's Possible DP link in March (Yonhap News)

QuoteThe youth chairperson of the church's Simon branch allegedly asked followers to join both parties ahead of the 2022 local elections by saying: "I am a member of both the PPP and the DP. We must show our strength to politicians." ...

Despite securing such a statement, however, the team did not pursue an investigation involving the DP, instead focusing solely on allegations that church members had collectively joined the PPP, legal sources said.

Korea: Act on the Prevention of Domestc Violence & Protection of Victims

I will edit this and focus on the parts that relate to mental and emotional abuse:


Article 1 (Purpose)
The purpose of this Act is to prevent domestic violence and to protect and support victims thereof.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Apr. 28, 2006]

1.    The term "domestic violence" means any act under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on Special Cases concerning the Punishment, etc. of Crimes of Domestic Violence;
2.    The term "domestic violence assailant" means a person under subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Act on Special Cases concerning the Punishment, etc. of Crimes of Domestic Violence;
3.    The term "victim" means a person who has been directly damaged by domestic violence;
4.    The term "child" means a person who is under 18 years of age.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 4 (Responsibilities of the State and Other Entities)
(1)    The State and a local government shall take each of the following measures to prevent domestic violence and to protect and support victims thereof: <Amended on May 8, 2009; Jul. 30, 2013; Jun. 22, 2015; Dec. 12, 2017; Jun. 9, 2020>
1.    Establishment and operation of a domestic violence reporting system;
2.    Investigation, research, education and publicity for the prevention of domestic violence;
3.    Establishment and operation of facilities to protect and support victims;
4.    Grant of a preferential right to residency in a rental house, and provision of supportive services for self-reliance and self-support such as vocational training;
5.    Legal aid and provision of other supportive services for victims;
6.    Establishment and operation of a cooperation network among related agencies to facilitate protection and support for victims;
7.    Improvement of related statutes and formulation, implementation and evaluation of various policies for preventing and forestalling domestic violence and protecting and supporting victims;
8.    Preparation of safety measures for personal protection of victims and employees, such as counselors working in emergency hotlines under Article 4-6, counseling centers for domestic violence under Article 5, shelters for victims of domestic violence under Article 7;
9.    Prevention of personal exposure of victims and establishment of a victim protection and support system in consideration of the characteristics of damage from domestic violence;
10.    Provision of counseling and treatment programs necessary for physical and mental recovery of children who have witnessed, or have suffered, domestic violence.
(2)    In order to fully perform the duties under paragraph (1), the State and a local government shall take budgetary measures, such as securing financial resources. <Amended on Dec. 12, 2017>
(3)    A Special Metropolitan City, a Metropolitan City, a Special Self-Governing City, Do, a Special Self-Governing Province and a Si/Gun/Gu (referring to an autonomous Gu; hereinafter the same shall apply) shall have organizations and public officials in charge of preventing domestic violence and providing protection and support to victims. <Amended on Mar. 13, 2018>
(4)    The State and a local government shall foster and support, with a subsidy for expenses, etc., counseling centers related to domestic violence and shelters for the victims established and operated under Articles 5 (2) and 7 (2).
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 4-2 (Investigation into Actual Conditions of Domestic Violence)
(1)    The Minister of Gender Equality and Family shall investigate actual conditions of domestic violence every three years, and announce the findings thereof and utilize such findings as basic materials in policy making for the prevention of domestic violence. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(2)    Matters necessary for the method, contents, etc. of investigations into actual conditions of domestic violence under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 4-3 (Provision of Domestic Violence Prevention Education)
(1)    National agencies, local governments, principals at all school levels under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the heads of public organizations prescribed by Presidential Decree shall provide education necessary for the prevention and avoidance of domestic violence, and submit the outcomes thereof to the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on May 17, 2010; Jul. 30, 2013>
(2)    Where prevention education under paragraph (1) is provided, it may be carried out from the perspective of gender equality by integrating sex education and sexual violence prevention education under Article 5 of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act, sexual harassment prevention education under Article 31 of the Framework Act on Gender Equality, preventive education against sexual traffic under Article 4 of the Act on the Prevention of Commercial Sex Acts and Protection, etc. of Victims, and other related education. <Newly Inserted on May 17, 2010; Jan. 21, 2014; May 28, 2014>
(3)    The Minister of Gender and Family, or the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, the Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, and the Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") may provide education to persons who are not eligible for education under paragraph (1), necessary for preventing and avoiding domestic violence. In such cases, the Minister of Gender and Family or the Mayor/Do Governor may entrust education-related affairs to a counseling center for domestic violence under Article 5 or an educational institution prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 27, 2018>
(4)    The Minister of Gender Equality and Family shall train professional instructors for the education under paragraph (1), and develop and disseminate educational programs. <Newly Inserted on Jul. 30, 2013>


[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 4-4 (Support for School Attendance of Children)
(1)    Where a victim or a family member accompanied by the victim (referring to a person who is protected or brought up by the victim among the persons under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on Special Cases concerning the Punishment, etc. of Crimes of Domestic Violence; hereinafter the same shall apply) is a child, and if the child needs to attend school in a region other than the place of his/her domicile (including admission, readmission, transference, transfer admission into school; hereinafter the same shall apply), the State and a local government shall provide support so that he/she can attend school without difficulty.
(2)    Matters necessary for attending school under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 4-5 (Prohibition of Disadvantageous Disposition against Victims)
No person who is employing a victim shall dismiss him/her nor give any other disadvantages to him/her in connection with crimes of domestic violence under the Act on Special Cases concerning the Punishment, etc. of Crimes of Domestic Violence.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 4-6 (Establishment and Operation of Emergency Hotlines)
(1)    The Minister of Gender Equality and Family or a Mayor/Do Governor shall establish and operate emergency hotline centers in order to perform affairs referred to in the following subparagraphs. In such cases, he/she may separately establish and operate emergency hotline centers providing foreign language services:
1.    Receipt of reports from victims and provision of counseling;
2.    Interconnection with related institutions and establishments;
3.    Provision of emergency rescue services for victims;
4.    Temporary protection of a victim transferred from police stations, etc. and the family members accompanied by the victim (hereinafter referred to as "victims, etc.").
(2)    The Minister of Gender Equality and Family or the Mayor/Do Governor may entrust an institution or an organization prescribed by Presidential Decree with the establishment and operation of an emergency hotline center pursuant to paragraph (1). <Amended on Jan. 18, 2010>
(3)    Where the Minister of Gender Equality and Family or the Mayor/Do Governor entrusts the establishment and operation of an emergency hotline center pursuant to paragraph (2), he/she shall support expenses necessary therefor. <Amended on Jan. 18, 2010>
(4)    Matters necessary for the establishment and operation of an emergency hotline center pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Jan. 18, 2010>
[This Article Newly Inserted on May 8, 2009]
Article 4-7 (Domestic Violence Eradication Week)
(1)    A week a year shall be designated as the Domestic Violence Eradication Week in order to raise social awareness on and prevent domestic violence, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(2)    The State and local governments shall conduct projects including events in line with the objectives of the Domestic Violence Eradication Week. In such cases, the projects may be performed in conjunction with the events dedicated to the Sexual Assault Prevention Week prescribed in Article 6 of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Jun. 22, 2015]
Article 5 (Establishment and Operation of Counseling Centers)
(1)    The State or a local government may establish and operate a counseling center related to domestic violence (hereinafter referred to as "counseling center").
(2)    Any person, other than the State or a local government, who intends to establish and operate a counseling center shall report to the Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu (the head of a Gu means that of an autonomous Gu; hereinafter referred to as "head of a Si/Gun/Gu"). The same shall apply where he/she intends to modify any reported matters determined as important by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender and Family. <Amended on Mar. 13, 2018>
(3)    The head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall inform the reporter whether a report has been received or its handling period has been prolonged under the statutes governing handling of civil petitions within 10 days (within five days in cases of reporting any modifications) from the date of receiving a report under paragraph (2). <Newly Inserted on Mar. 13, 2018>
(4)    The counseling centers can be operated by specializing in target users such as foreigners, persons with disabilities, etc. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 12, 2017; Mar. 13, 2018>
(5)    Matters necessary for the standards of establishing and operating counseling centers, the number of counselors therein, and reporting procedures, etc. shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Dec. 12, 2017; Mar. 13, 2018>

Article 6 (Services of Counseling Centers)
The services of a counseling center shall be as follows: <Amended on Jul. 30, 2013; Jun. 22, 2015>
1.    Receipt of reports, or consultations, on domestic violence;
1-2.    Counselling for persons who report domestic violence or make a request for counselling thereon, and counselling for their family members;
2.    Temporary protection of victims, etc. who have difficulty in leading a normal family life and social life due to domestic violence or require emergency protection, or transferring the victim, etc. to a medical institution or shelters for victims of domestic violence under Article 7 (1);
3.    Requests for necessary cooperation and support from the Korean Bar Association or local bar associations and legal aid corporations established under the Legal Aid Act (hereinafter referred to as "legal aid corporation") for consultations with respect to legal matters, such as filing criminal charges against domestic violence assailants;
4.    Temporary protection of victims, etc. transferred from police stations, etc.;
5.    Education and publicity concerning the prevention and avoidance of domestic violence;
6.    Other investigations and research on domestic violence and damage therefrom.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 7 (Establishment of Shelters)
(1)    The State or a local government may establish and operate a shelter for victims of domestic violence (hereinafter referred to as "shelter").
(2)    A social welfare corporation under the Social Welfare Services Act (hereinafter referred to as "social welfare corporation") and other nonprofit corporations may establish and operate shelters with the authorization from the head of a Si/Gun/Gu.
(3)    A shelter shall have a counselor and may have employees, such as life aides, cooks, and janitors, depending on the scale of the shelter.
(4)    Matters necessary for the standards for establishment and operation of shelters, the type of occupation and number of employees, including counselors, and the standards for authorization thereof shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 17, 2007]
Article 7-2 (Categories of Shelters)
(1)    Types of resident support projects shall be as follows: <Amended on Jun. 9, 2020>
1.    Short-term shelters: Facilities to protect victims, etc. for a period not exceeding six months;
2.    Long-term shelters: Facilities to provide victims, etc. with residential convenience, etc. for their self-reliance for a period not exceeding two years;
3.    Shelters for foreigners: Facilities to protect foreign victims, etc. for up to two years;

[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 7-3 (Persons subject to Admission to Shelters)
(1)    A person subject to admission to a shelter shall be a victim, etc. who falls under any of the following subparagraphs:
1.    Where the victim, etc. wishes or consents to be admitted to such facility;
2.    Where a guardian who is not a domestic violence assailant consents to admission of an intellectually disabled person or mentally disabled person under Article 2 of the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, or any other disabled person whose mental capacity is impaired;
3.    Where it is deemed inappropriate to obtain the consent of a guardian to admission of an intellectually disabled person or mentally disabled person pursuant to Article 2 of the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, or any other disabled person whose mental capacity is impaired, although he/she needs to be admitted to a shelter according to the results of counseling by a counsellor.
(2)    The head of a shelter, who has obtained authorization pursuant to Article 7 (2), shall report to the head of a Si/Gun/Gu personal details, grounds for admission to shelters, etc. of a person who is admitted to the shelter pursuant to paragraph (1) without delay, and where he/she admits a person falling under paragraph (1) 3 to the shelter, he/she shall obtain the approval from the competent head of a Si/Gun/Gu without delay.
[This Article Newly Inserted on May 8, 2009]
Article 7-4 (Discharge from Shelters)




2.    Counseling and treatment for psychological stability and social adaptation;
3.    Medical support, including transfer. etc. to medical institutions for disease treatment and health care (including physical examinations within one month from the time a victim, etc. is admitted into a shelter);
4.    Support and link of services necessary for investigation and trial process;
5.    Requests for necessary cooperation and support from legal aid institutions, etc.;
6.    Providing education on self-reliance and self-support and employment information;
7.    Matters entrusted to a shelter under other Acts;
8.    Other services necessary for the protection of a victim, etc.
(2)    Any person who establishes and operates a shelter for the disabled shall, in providing services falling under any subparagraph of paragraph (1), render any appropriate assistance in consideration of the characteristics of the disabled.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 17, 2007]
Article 8-2 (Qualification Standards for Employees of Emergency Hotline Centers, Counseling Centers and Shelters)

Article 8-3 (Education and Training Facilities for Counselors related to Domestic Violence)
(1)    The State or a local government may establish and operate education and training facilities for counselors related to domestic violence (hereinafter referred to as "education and training facilities") to provide education and training to counselors (including persons who intend to become counselors).

(4)    Matters necessary for the establishment standards for education and training facilities, the qualifications and the number of instructors working therein, the operation standards for counselor education and training courses and the report procedures, etc. shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Mar. 13, 2018>

(2)    The Minister of Gender Equality and Family or the Mayor/Do Governor may entrust affairs concerning education pursuant to paragraph (1) to a university or a junior college pursuant to Article 2 of the Higher Education Act or specialized institutions prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jan. 18, 2010>
(3)    Detailed matters necessary for a period, methods and details of supplementary education pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Jan. 18, 2010>
[This Article Newly Inserted on May 8, 2009]
Article 8-5 (Grant of Preferential Right to Residency in Rental House)
Matters necessary for the selection standards and methods, etc. of persons entitled to a preferential right to residency in a rental house prescribed in Article 4 (1) 4 shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Dec. 12, 2017>
[This Article Newly Inserted on May 8, 2009]
Article 9 (Obligation of Respect for Victim's Will)
The head of any counseling center or shelters shall not protect victims, etc. as provided in Articles 8 (1) and 18 against the explicit will of such victims, etc.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]


(2)    The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may request the terrestrial broadcasting business operators under subparagraph 3 (a) of Article 2 of the Broadcasting Act (hereafter referred to as "broadcaster" in this Article) to air promotional pictures and videos referred to in paragraph (1) through each channel within the percentage of non-commercial public service advertisements to be aired as prescribed by Presidential Decree under Article 73 (4) of the same Act. <Amended on May 28, 2013>
(3)    Broadcasters may independently produce and air promotional pictures and videos in addition to the promotional pictures and videos under paragraph (1). In such cases, they may request the Minister of Gender Equality and Family for necessary cooperation and support. <Amended on May 28, 2013>
[This Article Newly Inserted on May 17, 2010]
Article 9-4 (Dispatch of Judicial Police Officers to Scene)
(1)    A judicial police officer shall visit the scene of domestic violence without delay if a domestic violence offense report is received.
(2)    A judicial police officer who responds to a domestic violence offense report pursuant to paragraph (1) may visit the reported scene of domestic violence to protect victims or visit relevant places to inspect relevant persons or ask them questions for investigation of such case.
(3)    No domestic violence assailant shall obstruct the duties of a judicial police officer, such as rejecting on-site investigations by the judicial police officer under paragraph (2).
(4)    A judicial police officer who enters a scene of domestic violence, investigates a case or asks questions pursuant to paragraph (2) shall carry a certificate indicating his/her authority and produce it to interested parties.
(5)    When making an onsite visit under paragraph (1), the head of an investigative agency may request the head of an emergency hotline center, counseling center or shelter to accompany to the scene of domestic violence, and the head of an emergency hotline center, counseling center or shelter who receives such request shall dispatch an affiliated counselor to the scene of domestic violence, in the absence of special circumstances.
(6)    A judicial police officer who investigates a case of domestic violence or asks questions pursuant to paragraph (2) shall take necessary measures, such as interviewing the victim, reporter, witness, etc. in a place separate from the domestic violence assailant so that the person may freely make a statement, etc.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jul. 30, 2013]
Article 10 (Closure of Counseling Centers, Shelters, or Education and Training Facilities)
(1)    If the head of a counseling center, shelter, or education and training facility under Article 5 (2), 7 (2) or 8-3 (2) intends to temporarily suspend the operation of the said facility, permanently close it, or renew its operation, he/she shall report it to the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Mar. 2, 2016; Mar. 13, 2018>
(2)    Where the head of a Si/Gun/Gu receives a report on temporary suspension or permanent closure of a facility under paragraph (1), he/she shall review the details of the report and accept it if he/she deems the report is in compliance with this Act. <Newly Inserted on Mar. 13, 2018>
(3)    Where the head of a counseling center, shelter, or education and training facility temporarily suspends the operation of the relevant facility or permanently closes it, he/she shall take measures to protect the rights and interests of users of such facilities, including arranging the users' transfer to another facility, etc. <Newly Inserted on Mar. 2, 2016; Mar. 13, 2018>
(4)    Upon receipt of reports on the suspension of operation or permanent closure of a counseling center, shelter, or education and training facility under paragraph (1), the head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall take measures prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, including confirming that the head of the relevant facility has taken actions to protect the rights and interests of the users of the relevant facility, etc. as prescribed in paragraph (3). <Newly Inserted on Mar. 2, 2016; Mar. 13, 2018>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 11 (Supervision)
(1)    The Minister of Gender Equality and Family or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu may require the head of a counseling center, shelter, or education and training facility to make a necessary report on the facility concerned and have competent public officials investigate the conditions of operation of the facilities concerned or inspect account ledgers and other documents. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(2)    Each relevant public official who performs his/her duties pursuant to paragraph (1) shall show a certificate verifying his/her authority to the interested persons.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 12 (Revocation of Authorization)
(1)    Where a counseling center, shelter, or education and training facility falls under any of the following subparagraphs, the head of a Si/Gun/Gu may issue orders for closure of the facility, discontinuance of services or suspension of services for a period not exceeding six months, or cancel authorization therefor: <Amended on Dec. 12, 2017; Mar. 13, 2018>
1.    Where the facility fails to meet the standards for establishment or operation under Article 5 (5), 7 (4) or 8-3 (4);
2.    Where the facility fails to meet the requirements for the number of counselors or instructors under Article 5 (5), 7 (4), 8-2 or 8-3 (4) or employees an unqualified person;
3.    Where the facility fails to make a report under Article 11 (1), makes a false report, or refuses or evades an investigation and inspection by a competent public official without justifiable grounds;
4.    Where a counseling center, shelter, or education and training facility has been established or operated for making profits in violation of Article 15.
(2)    Where a counseling center, shelter, or education and training center is closed or suspends or discontinues its operation or its authorization is revoked under paragraph (2), the head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall take measures to protect the rights and interests of the users of the relevant facility, including arranging the users' transfer to another facility, etc. <Newly Inserted on Mar. 2, 2016>
(3)    Detailed standards concerning orders for suspension and discontinuance of services or closure of facilities, or the revocation of authorization under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Mar. 2, 2016>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 12-2 (Hearings)
The head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall hold a hearing to order suspension and discontinuance of services or closure of facilities, or revoke authorization under Article 12.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 13 (Subsidization of Expenses)
(1)    The State or a local government may support part of the expenses for the establishment and operation of counseling centers or shelters under Article 5 (2) or 7 (2).
(2)    The State or a local government shall support the shelters for the disabled to cover expenses of establishing equipment and installations meeting the standards prescribed by the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 13-2 (Assessment of Emergency Hotline Centers)
(1)    The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may assess the performance records of emergency hotline centers, counseling centers and shelters every three years and reflect the results thereof into supervision, support, etc. of each facility.
(2)    Matters necessary for the standards, methods, etc. for evaluation under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
[This Article Newly Inserted on May 17, 2010]
Article 14 (Integrated Establishment and Operation of Counseling Centers or Shelters)
The State or a local government may establish and operate the integrated counseling centers or shelters by integrating counseling centers or shelters established and operated under this Act with counseling centers or shelters of a similar nature prescribed by Presidential Decree, or recommend to establish and operate such integrated counseling centers or shelters. <Amended on May 8, 2009>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
[Title of This Article Amended on May 8, 2009]
Article 15 (Prohibition of Operation for Profit)
No person shall establish or operate a counseling center, shelters, or education and training facilities for making profits: Provided, That the heads of education and training facilities may receive tuition from those who take counselor education and training courses, as prescribed by the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Apr. 28, 2006]
Article 16 (Duty of Confidentiality)
No person who is or was the head of an emergency hotline center, a counseling center or a shelter, or who is or was an assistant to him/her shall reveal confidential information acquired in the course of his/her duty.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 8, 2009]
Article 17 (Prohibition of Use of Similar Name)
No institution, other than emergency hotline centers, counseling centers, shelters, or education and training facilities under this Act, shall use such name as an emergency hotline center, a counseling center related to domestic violence, shelters for victims of domestic violence, or education and training facilities for counselors related to domestic violence, or any other name similar thereto. <Amended on May 8, 2009>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 18 (Medical Care and Protection)
(1)    A medical institution shall, if requested by a victim, his/her family, acquaintance or the head of an emergency hotline center, a counseling center or shelters, etc., render to victims the following medical care and protection services: <Amended on May 8, 2009>
1.    Consultation and guidance concerning health;
2.    Medical care for physical and mental injuries;
3.    Other matters concerning medical treatment prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(2)    The relevant domestic violence assailant shall bear all the expenses incurred in medical care and protection referred to in paragraph (1).
(3)    Where a victim applies for reimbursement of expenses for medical care and protection notwithstanding paragraph (2), the State or a local government shall pay the expenses necessary for medical care and protection referred to in paragraph (1) to a medical institution on behalf of the domestic violence assailant.
(4)    Where the State or a local government has paid expenses pursuant to paragraph (3), it may exercise the right to reimbursement against the relevant domestic violence assailant: Provided, That the same shall not apply where a victim has received medical care and protection under paragraph (1) while being admitted in a shelter or where the domestic violence assailant falls under any of the following subparagraphs:
1.    A beneficiary under Article 2 of the National Basic Living Security Act;
2.    A disabled person registered under Article 32 of the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities.
(5)    Matters necessary for the procedures for the payment of expenses under paragraph (3) and the procedures for exercising the right to indemnity, etc. under paragraph (4) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Oct. 17, 2007]
Article 19 (Delegation of Authority)
The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may delegate part of his/her authority under this Act to the Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 20 (Penalty Provisions)
(1)    Any person who fires a victim or puts a victim at any other disadvantages in violation of Article 4-5 shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not exceeding three years or by a fine not exceeding 30 million won. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 12, 2017>

(2)    (Applicability to Failure of State, etc. to Exercise Right to Reimbursement) The amended provisions of the proviso to Article 18 (4) shall apply to those expenses which are paid by the State or a local government on behalf of domestic violence assailants on or after the date when this Act enters into force.
ADDENDA <Act No. 7413, Mar. 24, 2005>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the following matters shall enter into force on the date under the following classification:
1.    Provisions of Article 26...Articles 2 through 4 of the Addenda shall enter into force on the date on which the Presidential Decree concerning the Organization of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family under the amended provisions of Article 42 enters into force, which shall be within three months after promulgation of this Act.

ADDENDA <Act No. 7952, Apr. 28, 2006>
(1)    (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
(2)    (Transitional Measures concerning Shelters) At the time when this Act enters into force, shelters which are authorized by the head of a Si/Gun/Gu under the former provisions shall be deemed to be those provided for by this Act: Provided, That the standards for the establishment, etc. under the amended provisions of Article 7 (4) shall be met according to the categories of shelters falling under the amended provisions of any subparagraph of Article 7-2 (1) within one year after this Act enters into force.
(3)    (Transitional Measures concerning Qualifications of Counselors) At the time when this Act enters into force, any person who is qualified as a counselor as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family shall be deemed to have completed the whole counselor education or training course under Article 8-2 (2).
(4)    (Transitional Measures concerning Education or Training Facilities) An educational foundation, a legal aid corporation, a social welfare corporation or any other nonprofit corporation that has established and has been operating a school with a domestic violence-related counselor education course as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family under the Higher Education Act at the time when this Act enters into force shall, if it files a report under Article 8-3 (2) of this Act within three months after this Act enters into force, thereupon be deemed to have filed the report on the date on which this Act enters into force: Provided, That the standards for the establishment, etc. under the amended provisions of Article 8-3 (3) shall be met within six months after this Act enters into force.


This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That, among the Acts amended pursuant to Article 6 of the Addenda, the amendments to the Acts promulgated before this Act enters into force, but the enforcement dates of which have yet to arrive, shall enter into force on the dates on which the respective Acts take effect.
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.


(1)    (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
(2)    (Transitional Measures concerning Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act) The term "Article 5 of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act" under the amended provisions of Article 4-3 (2) shall be construed as "Article 3 (2) of the Act on the Protection, etc. of Victims of Sexual Crimes" until December 31, 2010.

Article 1 (Provisions Concerning Delegation)
This Act shall enter into on the date of its promulgation.
(2)    Omitted.
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 11832, May 28, 2013>
This Article shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 11981, Jul. 30, 2013>
This Article shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 12327, Jan. 21, 2014>
This Article shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 12698, Jun. 28, 2014>
Article 1 (Provisions Concerning Delegation)
This Act shall enter into force on 7/1/2015.
Articles 2 through 10 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 13368, Jun. 22, 2015>
Article 1 (Provisions Concerning Delegation)
This Article shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Grounds for Disqualification of Incompetent Persons)
Notwithstanding the amended provision of Article 8-2 (1) 1, a person for whom a ruling for incompetency or quasi-incompetency under Article 2 of Addenda to the partial amendment to the Civil Act (Act No. 10429) is effective at the time the aforesaid amended provision enters into force shall be governed by the former provision.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14058, Mar. 2, 2016>
This Article shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 15202, Dec. 12, 2017>
This Article shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 15448, Mar. 13, 2018>
Article 1 (Provisions Concerning Delegation)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 10 shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Applicability to Reports on Establishment of Counseling Centers, etc.)
The amended provisions of Articles 5 (3) and 8-3 (3) shall apply beginning with the cases where reports are filed on the establishment of counseling centers or educational training centers or on any modifications to previously reported matters after this Act enters into force.
ADDENDA <Act No. 15543, Mar. 27, 2018>
Article 1 (Provisions Concerning Delegation)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of promulgation.
Article 2 (Applicability to the Extension of Protection Period of Short-Term Shelters)
The amended provisions of Article 7-2 (2) shall also apply to the victims, etc. who have entered short-term shelters at the time this Act enters into force.
ADDENDA <Act No. 17437, Jun. 9, 2020>
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.

May 2026

May 4: Special Counsel Appeals Four-Year Sentence for Former First Lady Kim Keon-hee (The Chosun Daily)

QuoteAlongside this, the special counsel team also filed an appeal on the 30th of last month against the appellate court's ruling on Yun Young-ho, former head of the Unification Church's global headquarters, who was indicted for providing illicit funds to Kim and People Power Party Representative Kweon Seong-dong in exchange for favors regarding Unification Church-related issues. Yun had received a heavier sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison at the appellate trial on the 27th of last month, compared to the first trial's 1 year and 2 months.

May 6: Investigators Raid UC Sites Over Leader's Alleged Embezzlement (Yonhap News)

QuoteInvestigators on Wednesday launched a raid on more than 10 sites affiliated with the Unification Church over allegations its leader Han Hak-ja embezzled church funds, legal sources said. ...

The team suspects Han may have used the money to create a slush fund and has sent investigators to Cheon Won Gung and Cheon Jeong Gung, the church's sacred sites in Gapyeong, about 55 kilometers northeast of Seoul, as well as its Seoul headquarters and other locations.

May 6: Presiding Judge of Ex-First Lady's Appeals Trial Found Dead (The Korea Times)

May 6: Korea Joint Unit Raids UC Over Han Hak-ja Embezzlement (Chosun Biz)

QuoteThis raid differs in nature from the existing allegations under the Political Funds Act. Earlier, the unit raided Unification Church facilities over suspicions that the church provided money and valuables to political figures. That investigation focused on confirming the nature of funds that flowed to outside political circles. In contrast, the current probe appears aimed at determining how internal church funds were siphoned off and, ultimately, to whom they accrued.

May 21: Appeals Court Jails Geonjin Jeon Seong-bae 5 Years in UC Bribery Case

QuoteJeon Seong-bae, known as "Geonjin," who was indicted on charges of colluding with Kim Keon-hee to receive money and valuables from the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church) along with requests to handle church agenda items, was sentenced to five years in prison on appeal. That is one year less than the first-trial sentence of six years in prison. ...

The sentence was reduced because Jeon admitted part of the charges during the trial and submitted evidence. The court found that Jeon's statements and evidence submission fall under mandatory mitigation grounds in the Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor law. "After this case was indicted, the defendant admitted to providing money and valuables to Kim Keon-hee and appeared as a witness at Kim Keon-hee's first trial to acknowledge delivering the valuables, which became key evidence," the court said.

May 29: Special Counsel Searches Ex-Police Chief Over UC Probe (The Chosun Daily)

May 29: Integrated Special Prosecutor Raids Former Commissioner General Yoon Heekeun Over UC Investigation Cover-Up Allegations (The Asia Business Daily)