South Korean prosecutors have arrested Hak Ja Han, the 82-year-old leader of the Unification Church, on charges of bribery tied to former First Lady Kim Keon Hee and ruling party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong.
A Seoul court approved her detention late Monday, with prosecutors arguing she could destroy evidence. Han is accused of directing aides to deliver luxury gifts and cash to Kim and mobilizing church members to support Kweon’s political ambitions.
Evidence cited includes a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace worth 60 million won ($43,000), other high-end items, cash transfers, and internal church records. A church aide also testified to handling some of the deliveries.
Kim, already on trial for separate bribery and stock manipulation charges, has denied receiving any gifts from the church. Kweon also rejected the allegations, saying church support was legal political activity.
The Unification Church dismissed the case, claiming any gifts were the actions of individuals, not its leader. It criticized Han’s arrest, citing her age and recent heart surgery, but pledged to cooperate with investigators.
Han’s detention adds to political turmoil following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed in April and is now jailed on unrelated charges. The case has renewed scrutiny of the church’s longstanding influence in South Korean politics.
