The National Police Agency in Seoul. / Source: Park Sung-il

South Korean police have launched a forced investigation into allegations that the Unification Church provided support to politicians, stepping up a probe that has drawn growing political attention.

The National Police Agency’s special task force began search-and-seizure operations at around 9 a.m. on Dec. 15 at 10 locations, including the Unification Church’s Cheon Jeong Gung complex and its Seoul headquarters. The raids came just four days after the task force was formed.

The task force, consisting of 23 investigators, was set up on Dec. 11 and has since questioned Yoon Young-ho, former world headquarters chief of the Unification Church, at the Seoul Detention Center. Police have booked Yoon, along with former Oceans and Fisheries Minister Jeon Jae-soo, former Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Jong-sung and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Kyu-hwan, as suspects.

Investigators are also considering a second round of questioning for Yoon, who previously told a special prosecutor that he had delivered money but later reversed his testimony in court. In addition, police are coordinating schedules to summon people close to the politicians who have been booked in the case.

ⓒ "젊은 파워, 모바일 넘버원 아시아투데이"