Key Facts
• September 17, 2025: Han Hak-ja, former Unification Church leader, questioned by prosecutors.
• Allegations: Bribery to influence Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration for church benefits.
• 2022: Han allegedly collaborated with Yoon Yong-ho to bribe Kim Keon-hee with luxury goods.
• Amounts involved: Approximately 10.6 million yen in bribes linked to political favors.
• Han denies involvement, issuing a statement in August 2025 rejecting all allegations.
• Investigation scope: Financial ties between Yoon’s administration and the Unification Church.
• Historical context: Unification Church founded in 1954, with significant financial ties to Japan.
• Public reaction: Japanese woman, victim of over 100 million yen in donations, demands accountability.
Summary
South Korea’s special prosecutor is investigating Han Hak-ja, former leader of the Unification Church, over allegations of bribery and political influence during Yoon Suk-yeol’s presidency. Han is accused of providing luxury goods and financial incentives to Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, and close aides to secure benefits for the church. The investigation also examines broader financial ties between the church and Yoon’s administration, including alleged misuse of funds from Japanese donors. Han denies all allegations, but the case has sparked public outrage, particularly from victims of the church’s financial practices. The prosecutor is considering whether to request an arrest warrant for Han as part of the ongoing probe.
