Particle.news
Download on the App Store
6 ARTICLES
·
4h ago

Court Weighs Arrest Warrant for Unification Church Leader in Bribery Probe

Prosecutors say detention would secure evidence in a probe of alleged church-to-state bribery.

Han Hak-ja, the leader of the Unification Church, arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors in Seoul, South Korea, September 22, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
Han Hak-ja, the leader of the Unification Church, arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors in Seoul, South Korea, September 22, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, to attend her arrest warrant hearing on charges of bribery. (Yonhap)
Image

Overview

  • Seoul Central District Court held the warrant hearing Monday for 82-year-old Han Hak-ja, with a ruling expected late Monday or early Tuesday.
  • Special counsel Min Joong-ki seeks detention on suspected violations of the Political Funds Act and anti-graft law, plus embezzlement and evidence-tampering.
  • Prosecutors allege Han arranged a 100 million won payment to PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong in 2022 to secure favors for the church.
  • Investigators also accuse her of directing luxury gifts to Kim Keon Hee using church funds, claims the church disputes as the acts of a former official.
  • Han arrived in a wheelchair and declined questions, as related cases progress involving Kweon’s arrest, Kim’s detention and trial, and separate probes of ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol.