Unification Church leader arrested in S Korean ex-first lady bribery case

Han Hak-ja is accused of ordering the religion to bribe erstwhile First Lady Kim Keon Hee for favours for the church’s concern interests.

The person of South Korea’s Unification Church has been arrested implicit allegations of bribery successful the signifier of luxury bags and an costly necklace linked to the country’s erstwhile first lady.

In a connection connected Tuesday morning, Seoul’s prosecution said the apprehension warrant had been issued implicit concerns that Han Hak-ja, 82, poses the “risk of tampering with evidence”.

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Han has been accused of ordering the religion to bribe the woman of removed President Yoon Suk Yeol, then-first woman Kim Keon Hee, for favours for the church’s concern interests.

However, Han has denied the allegations and referred to them arsenic “false information”.

After the apprehension warrant was issued, Han was remanded successful Seoul Detention Centre’s custody.

In a statement, the Unification Church wrote that they “humbly judge the court’s decision”.

“We volition sincerely cooperate with the ongoing probe and proceedings procedures to found the truth, and we volition bash our utmost to instrumentality this arsenic an accidental to reconstruct spot successful our church,” it added.

“We profoundly apologise for causing concern.”

Unification Church person Han Hak-ja arrives connected a wheelchair to be a proceeding to reappraisal her apprehension warrant requested by peculiar prosecutors astatine the Seoul Central District Court successful Seoul connected September 22, 2025 [AFP]

Han is suspected of ordering her unit to present luxury gifts to Kim to curry favour with the erstwhile president. She besides faces allegations of bribing a salient MP with 100 cardinal won ($72,000).

Called “True Mother” by followers, Han is the widow of Unification Church laminitis Sun Myung Moon, 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.

Meanwhile, erstwhile archetypal woman Kim has been arrested connected charges of bribery and banal marketplace manipulation. Her husband, removed person Yoon, is besides successful custody and is lasting proceedings implicit his declaration of martial instrumentality successful December.