South Korean Unification Church leader faces arrest in bribery case

Han Hak-ja has antecedently denied bribery allegation involving a erstwhile archetypal lady.

The person of South Korea’s arguable Unification Church attended a tribunal proceeding successful beforehand of a determination to perchance contented a warrant for her apprehension connected corruption charges linked to the erstwhile archetypal lady, Kim Keon Hee.

During the tribunal proceedings connected Monday, Han Hak-ja did not reply questions from reporters regarding allegations of bribery arsenic she was pushed successful a wheelchair, entering the Seoul Central District Court.

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Han is accused of conspiring with a erstwhile religion authoritative to springiness 100 cardinal won ($72,400) to People Power Party typical Kweon Seong-dong successful 2022 successful speech for gaining favours for the religion if Yoon Suk-yeol won the statesmanlike predetermination that year, which helium did.

Han is besides suspected of gifting luxury bags and a necklace to Yoon’s wife, Kim, by embezzling the church’s wealth portion seeking favours.

If the tribunal approves the warrant, Han volition beryllium imprisoned.

At the aforesaid time, a peculiar authoritative is investigating allegations that she directed the bribes with the erstwhile archetypal woman for the church’s concern interests.

Han has antecedently denied the allegation of giving jewellery and luxury bags to Kim, who is presently successful detention.

The court’s determination is expected aboriginal connected Monday oregon aboriginal Tuesday.

Han Hak-ja, the person of the Unification Church, arrives astatine the peculiar prosecutor’s bureau for questioning implicit allegations, which she has denied, successful Seoul, South Korea, September 17, 2025 [Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters]

Called “True Mother” by followers, Han is the widow of Unification Church laminitis Moon Sun-myung, who died successful 2012. Founded successful 1954, the religion has agelong been the taxable of contention and criticism.

Retaining a cult-like culture, followers are referred to disparagingly arsenic “Moonies”. The church’s teachings are centred connected Moon’s relation arsenic the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, and it conducts wide weddings.

The church, officially called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has followers astir the satellite and controls companies successful construction, healthcare, and media, among different sectors.

Kim, who is successful detention, is besides expected to spell connected proceedings this week for corruption from the clip earlier and during her husband’s short-lived tenure successful power.

The erstwhile archetypal woman has besides denied allegations against her, including receiving gifts from the church.

Yoon was ousted successful April aft being impeached for a failed martial instrumentality bid past December to suppress governmental opponents. He is besides successful detention, facing a abstracted proceedings for insurrection.