SEOUL (Kyodo) — The Unification Church leader has been arrested over an allegation that she gave gifts to the wife of then President Yoon Suk Yeol in 2022, South Korean media reported Tuesday.
The Seoul Central District Court issued the warrant for Han Hak Ja, 82, who leads the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, the official name of the international religious group whose members are known as Moonies in some countries.
Yoon was ousted from office in April after the Constitutional Court upheld an impeachment motion passed by parliament over his brief declaration of martial law in December.
Yoon’s wife and former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, was arrested in August after allegedly receiving luxury gifts from the Unification Church. She is also accused of stock manipulation, among other things.
According to local media, Han is alleged to have conspired with a former Unification Church official in giving items including an expensive necklace to Kim between April and July of 2022.
Han is also accused of providing 100 million won ($72,000) to a lawmaker who was an aide to Yoon to win favors from the government.
A special counsel investigating Han’s case alleges she approved the actions of the former church official, but the group claims the official acted in their personal capacity.
The group has caused controversy in Japan, including in connection with its involvement in politics through donations and other forms of support to elected members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
South Korea arrests Unification Church head in case involving ex-first lady
