unification Church Leader Faces Court Over Bribery Allegations
SEOUL – Han Hak-ja, the 82-year-old leader of the Unification Church, appeared in a south Korean court on Monday as judges considered a warrant for her arrest. The warrant stems from a corruption investigation involving Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Prosecutors allege Han directed a church official to bribe Kim with gifts – including jewelry and luxury handbags – in exchange for favorable treatment for the churchS business interests. If approved, the warrant woudl lead to Han’s imprisonment while the special prosecutor continues their investigation.
Han, known as “True Mother” by her followers and the widow of Unification Church founder Moon Sun-myung, did not respond to questions from reporters as she arrived at the Seoul Central district Court in a wheelchair. She has previously denied the bribery allegations.
The Unification Church, formally the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, is a global organization with extensive holdings in industries like construction, healthcare, and media.
This investigation into kim Keon Hee continues alongside her trial for corruption related to activities before and during her husband’s brief presidency. Her lawyers maintain her innocence and deny receiving any gifts from the church.
Meanwhile, former President Yoon Suk Yeol remains in detention and is facing a seperate trial for insurrection following his impeachment in April for attempting to impose martial law to suppress political opposition.
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