Controversial Unification Church faces probe in South Korea over overseas gambling

Special counsel investigates allegations of Unification Church quelling corruption probe with aid of ex-president's close circle

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea on Tuesday launched a raid in a probe into the controversial Unification Church over alleged overseas gambling.

A special counsel raided a police station to find and seize records allegedly showing the church leadership's overseas gambling, according to Yonhap News.

Authorities had launched a probe in June 2022 into church head Han Hak-ja and other executives over allegations of gambling about 60 billion won ($43.7 million) at casinos in Las Vegas in the US between 2008 and 2011.

The investigation focuses on the allegation that the church, after learning of the probe, influenced important figures close to former President Yoon Suk Yeol to derail the investigation.

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted President Yoon, is also involved in the probe over corruption allegations.

The counsel reportedly suspects that the probe was quelled with the aid of "pro-Yoon" figures.

The Unification Church was founded by a staunch anti-communist group in South Korea in 1954 and is often labeled as a cult.

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