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Seoul Court Orders Arrest of Unification Church Leader Han Hak-ja in Bribery Probe

The court cited a risk of evidence destruction as a special counsel pursues alleged church bribes involving the former first lady.

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Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja leaves the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, after attending her arrest warrant hearing on charges of bribery. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja leaves the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, after a hearing on her potential arrest over bribery charges linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. (Yonhap)
Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja arrived at the Seoul Central District Court for a hearing in the case last week on a wheelchair

Overview

  • After a five-hour hearing, the Seoul Central District Court approved an arrest warrant and Han was taken into custody early Tuesday local time.
  • Prosecutors sought her detention on violations of the Political Funds Act and the anti-graft law, subornation of evidence destruction, and embezzlement.
  • Investigators allege Han worked with a former church official to deliver 100 million won to People Power Party Rep. Kweon Seong-dong in 2022 and to provide luxury gifts to Kim Keon Hee.
  • Han arrived in a wheelchair, previously missed summonses citing a heart procedure, and she and the church deny institutional wrongdoing, saying a former official acted alone.
  • The case is part of wider special counsel inquiries: Kim was detained and indicted last month, Kweon was arrested last week, and a separate team has summoned former President Yoon over a suspected illegal drone operation to Pyongyang.