Han Hak-ja is accused of ordering the church to bribe former First Woman Kim Keon Hee for favours for the church’s enterprise pursuits.
Revealed On 23 Sep 2025
The chief of South Korea’s Unification Church has been arrested over allegations of bribery within the type of luxurious luggage and an costly necklace linked to the nation’s former first girl.
In an announcement on Tuesday morning, Seoul’s prosecution mentioned the arrest warrant had been issued over issues that Han Hak-ja, 82, poses the “threat of tampering with proof”.
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Han has been accused of ordering the church to bribe the spouse of eliminated President Yoon Suk Yeol, then-first girl Kim Keon Hee, for favours for the church’s enterprise pursuits.
Nevertheless, Han has denied the allegations and referred to them as “false data”.
After the arrest warrant was issued, Han was remanded in Seoul Detention Centre’s custody.
In an announcement, the Unification Church wrote that they “humbly settle for the courtroom’s determination”.
“We are going to sincerely cooperate with the continuing investigation and trial procedures to determine the reality, and we are going to do our utmost to take this as a possibility to revive belief in our church,” it added.
“We deeply apologise for inflicting concern.”
Han is suspected of ordering her employees to ship luxurious items to Kim to curry favour with the previous president. She additionally faces allegations of bribing a outstanding MP with 100 million received ($72,000).
Referred to as “True Mom” by followers, Han is the widow of Unification Church founder Solar Myung Moon, who died in 2012. Based in 1954, the church has lengthy been the topic of controversy and criticism.
Retaining a cult-like tradition, followers are referred to disparagingly as “Moonies”. The church’s teachings are centred on Moon’s function because the second coming of Jesus Christ, and it conducts mass weddings.
The church, formally referred to as the Household Federation for World Peace and Unification, has followers world wide and controls firms in development, healthcare, and media, amongst different sectors.
In the meantime, former first girl Kim has been arrested on expenses of bribery and inventory market manipulation. Her husband, eliminated chief Yoon, can also be in custody and is standing trial over his declaration of martial legislation in December.
