A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for the 82-year-old leader of the country’s controversial Unification Church over corruption allegations involving the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The development took place early on Tuesday morning local time, the day after Han Hak-ja, who denies the accusations made against her, attended a court hearing in Seoul.
The Seoul Central District Court, where she appeared on Monday, approved prosecutors’ request for her detention, explaining that there was a risk that she could destroy evidence.
During the court proceedings on Monday, Han did not answer questions from reporters regarding allegations of bribery linked to the former first lady, Kim Keon-hee.
Han is accused of conspiring with a former church official to give 100 million won ($72,400) to People Power Party representative Kweon Seong-dong in 2022 in exchange for gaining favours for the church if Yoon Suk-yeol won the presidential election that year, which he did.
Han is also suspected of gifting luxury bags and a necklace to the former first lady by embezzling the church’s money while seeking favours.
At the same time, a special prosecutor is investigating allegations that she directed the bribes with Kim Keon-hee for the church’s business interests.
Han has previously denied the allegation of giving jewellery and luxury bags to former first lady Kim, who is currently in detention.
Called “True Mother” by followers, Han is the widow of Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, who died in 2012. Founded in 1954, the church has long been the subject of controversy and criticism.
Retaining a cult-like culture, followers are referred to disparagingly as “Moonies”. The church’s teachings are centred on Moon’s role as the second coming of Jesus Christ, and it conducts mass weddings.
The church, officially called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has followers around the world and controls companies in construction, healthcare, and media, among other sectors.
Kim, who is in detention, is also expected to go on trial this week for corruption from the time before and during her husband’s short-lived tenure in power.
The former first lady has also denied allegations against her, including receiving gifts from the church.
Yoon was ousted in April after being impeached for a failed martial law order last December to suppress political opponents. He is also in detention, facing a separate trial for insurrection.