Public interest in the Unification Church’s connection to Nepal has intensified following a series of investigative reports published last week. The reports have highlighted alleged links between the South Korea-based religious movement and senior Nepali political figures, prompting wider debate on foreign influence in domestic politics.

The Nepal connection came to light through confidential documents obtained by the Korean Center for Investigative Journalism, NewsTapa. These documents were analysed and published by Duniya.org, with parallel reports appearing on Onlinekhabar.com, Himalkhabar.com and in the Nepali Times. The investigation, referred to as the ‘True Mothers Report’, alleges close ties between the church and several prominent Nepali politicians.

Those named include Nepal Pariwar Dal chairman Eknath Dhakal and former prime ministers KP Sharma Oli, Madhav Kumar Nepal and Baburam Bhattarai. According to the reports, Dhakal maintained regular communication with senior figures of the Unification Church and sought political support through alliances with major parties, particularly the CPN-UML. A leaked letter dated November 30, 2017 cited in the investigation also alleged Dhakal demanded money from church officials.

Dhakal has denied wrongdoing, saying attempts were being made to malign him by linking his political cooperation with the UML to the Unification Church. However, documents cited by NewsTapa suggest that Dhakal informed church leaders about the UML’s electoral prospects during the 2017 elections and discussed his placement on the party’s proportional representation list.

The investigation further claims that the church’s ambitions in Nepal went beyond electoral politics. According to the documents, the long-term objective was to influence lawmakers and promote a constitution aligned with the concept of ‘Cheon Il Guk’, a theological vision described by the church as a “nation of cosmic peace and unity”.

The Unification Church was founded in 1954 by South Korean national Sun Myung Moon. After Moon’s death, leadership passed to his wife, Hak Ja Han, now 82, who describes herself as the “only daughter of God”. She is widely known for organising mass wedding ceremonies and for expanding the church’s global presence under the banner of religion, world peace and family values.

Over the decades, the church has extended its influence far beyond religious activities, building interests in politics, real estate, media, education and luxury businesses. It owns The Washington Times newspaper in the United States, the New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan, the Yongpyong Ski Resort in PyeongChang—host of the 2018 Winter Olympics—and the Cheongshim International Academy in Gapyeong.

In February 2020, Han organised a large international conference in Ilsan, South Korea, to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Sun Myung Moon. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 7,000 participants from over 100 countries attended, including former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and several former heads of state.

The event also marked Han’s 77th birthday and her 60th wedding anniversary. The church has invested heavily in infrastructure in South Korea, including a lavish complex in Gapyeong and the Cheonwon Palace near Seoul, reportedly built at a cost of more than $600 million.

The church and its leadership are now facing growing legal and political challenges. Han is under investigation in South Korea on allegations related to bribery and lobbying. In Japan, a court has revoked the organisation’s status as a religious body, which would result in the loss of tax and other benefits.

Adding to the controversy, Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, was recently sentenced by the Seoul Central District Court to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes linked to the Unification Church. She was found guilty of receiving luxury items, including a diamond necklace and designer handbags, allegedly in exchange for political favours. The case has further intensified scrutiny of the church’s political activities.

The church’s presence in Nepal has also been linked to the 2018 Asia-Pacific Summit held in Kathmandu under Dhakal’s leadership, during the tenure of then prime minister KP Sharma Oli. The summit was attended by high-profile international figures, including Aung San Suu Kyi and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Reports that participants were served “Holy Wine” and collectively sought blessings from Han triggered widespread criticism, leading Oli to distance himself from parts of the programme. Since then, the term “Holy Wine” has entered Nepali political discourse as a metaphor for perceived foreign influence.

In response to the allegations, the Unification Church has rejected the authenticity of the leaked documents. In a statement issued this week, its Japanese branch said the materials contained factual errors and alterations, blaming a former senior official, Yun Yong-ho, for creating confusion. The church has maintained that the reports misrepresent its activities and intentions.

As debate continues, the revelations have raised broader questions about transparency, foreign religious influence and the intersection of faith and politics in Nepal.