Unification Church leader denies bribery allegations in South Korea

The leader of the Unification Church denied allegations that the organization bribed South Korea's former first lady with luxury gifts in exchange for business favors, telling reporters she did not participate in any such activity as she left prosecutors' offices after nine hours of questioning. Han Hak-ja, 82, the widow of church founder Moon Sun-myung, appeared frail and was supported by aides as she spoke briefly to journalists.

The case centers on former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is accused of accepting two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace valued at about 80 million won (roughly $58,000). Kim has been indicted on charges including bribery and stock manipulation, which she has denied. Her arrest marked the first time both a former president and a former first lady have faced detention in South Korea. Yoon himself was detained in January to face trial over a failed martial-law bid that unsettled the nation last year.

Han told reporters that a church official—not herself—had approached Kim with the gifts, saying the official acted independently and without her knowledge. She added that the identified official has since been arrested. Prosecutors said Han had previously avoided the special prosecutor's summons and noted that an ambulance was on standby during her interrogation, according to Reuters, which cited the special prosecutor's office.

In a related development, conservative lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was arrested on accusations of receiving 100 million won in bribes from the church. Kweon, once considered close to President Yoon, has denied the allegation and was detained as part of the widening probe.

The Unification Church, formally The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, was founded in the 1950s by Moon Sun-myung, who taught that he was the messiah. The group has long drawn scrutiny for its finances and recruitment practices, with critics describing it as cult-like and accusing some followers of coercive donations. Its profile has fluctuated internationally, including heightened attention in Japan after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. A suspect cited the church as a source of personal grievance against Abe, though the group remains banned in parts of the world, including Singapore and, more recently, Japan, where government authorities have taken a restrictive stance toward the organization.