High on the slopes of Mount Jangrak, Cheon Jeong Gung rises from the hills of Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province like a fortress of white stone and quiet ambition. For years, it served as the secluded residence of Han Hak-ja, the leader of the Unification Church, until her detention in September left its halls largely silent. Once a sanctuary for the religious group, the compound, located about 62 kilometers east of Seoul, is now the focal point of an investigation into allegations that the church illegally funneled large sums of money to politicians in exchange for influence. Since a high-profile police raid earlier this month, it has been viewed less as a place of worship than as a potential clearinghouse for illicit political access, with investigators tracing discreet pilgrimages made by politicians to the mountain retreat. Amid the sustained attention, a different question began to surface for many Koreans: Can the Unification Church’s presence be felt in local neighborhoods? Kim Sang-hyun, a 30-year-old banker, was among those wondering. “I don’t recall ever seeing a Unific