Unification Church chief questioned in bribery case probe involving South Koreas former first girl

The chief of the Unification Church, Han Hak-ja, appeared for questioning by prosecutors on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) over alleged involvement in bribing the spouse of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as a part of a legal probe into the previous first couple.

Ms. Han declined to reply questions from reporters concerning the allegations as she arrived on the workplace of the particular prosecutor.

“I’ve been unwell,” she stated, when requested why she had chosen to answer questioning, after refusing earlier summons.

Ms. Han, who known as “True Mother” by followers, is the widow of Unification Church founder Moon Sun-myung, who died in 2012.

Ms. Han was assisted by aides as she stepped out of the automobile and walked slowly by means of a throng of reporters and safety.

A church official shouted “Mother, hang in there”, as Ms. Han made her method contained in the prosecutors’ workplace.

An ambulance organized by Han was on standby whereas she was interrogated, in response to the particular prosecutor’s workforce.

The particular prosecutor has indicted former First Lady Kim Keon Hee for bribery and different fees in a widening probe into a number of fees of wrongdoing by her earlier than and through Yoon’s presidency. Ms. Kim has been imprisoned as a part of the probe.

Ms. Han has been accused of instructing the spiritual group to bribe the previous first girl and Kweon Seong-dong, a veteran lawmaker and shut confidante of Mr. Yoon. Ms. Han has denied the allegations.

Mr. Kweon from the conservative People Power Party was detained on Wednesday over considerations he may destroy proof, prosecutors stated. He has denied that he took bribes from the church.

Kim Hyong Kun, deputy particular prosecutor, advised reporters on Wednesday that Ms. Han didn’t train her proper to stay silent and answered questions properly associated to allegations of violating political funding and anti-graft legal guidelines.

The prosecutors weren’t presently contemplating issuing an arrest warrant for Han, since she had are available in for questioning, the prosecutor stated.

Mr. Yoon, who can also be in detention, is on trial over revolt fees levelled towards him by a separate particular prosecutor associated to his botched bid to declare martial regulation.

Ms. Kim is accused of receiving bribes price 80 million received ($57,958) that embody two Chanel luggage and a diamond necklace from an official on the Unification Church in return for utilizing her affect to assist the church’s enterprise pursuits.

Ms. Kim’s attorneys have denied the allegations towards her, together with over her receiving items.

Ms. Han has known as the allegations towards her “false information.”

The official from the church that prosecutors say was behind the bribery has been arrested and indicted on fees together with violating anti-graft legal guidelines.

The Unification Church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, stated beforehand it was “deeply regrettable” that it failed to stop the misconduct of a former senior official, however denied any involvement within the case.