Bulgari's Seoul HQ Raided by Police in Unification Church Bribery Scandal Probe

A widening political scandal has now reached the doorstep of a global luxury brand. Police raided the South Korean headquarters of Italian brand Bulgari on Wednesday, December 24, as part of an investigation into allegations that former Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo received a luxury watch as a gift from the Unification Church, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The Hunt for the Missing Watch

The raid on Bulgari Korea's office in southern Seoul aimed to seize purchase records made by church officials. Investigators are trying to trace the whereabouts of the watch Chun allegedly received in 2018. The timepiece is reportedly worth over 10 million won (approximately US$6,900). This move follows a raid on Chun's residence and office last week, which failed to uncover the luxury item.

Allegations and Denials

Chun, who has been booked on bribery charges, is accused of receiving the watch from a former Unification Church official. This same official is also reportedly implicated in other bribery cases, including one involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee. However, the former minister has strongly rejected the allegations, denying he ever received illegal gifts from the church. Chun, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party, resigned from his cabinet post earlier this month shortly after the allegations surfaced.