Unification Church Leader Detained in South Korea Over Bribery Allegations

Han Hak-ja, leader of the Unification Church, was jailed after a South Korean court issued a warrant over graft allegations tied to former First Lady Kim Keon Hee. Prosecutors accuse Han of directing the church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, to bribe Kim in exchange for political and business favors.

Kim, wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, is currently on trial for bribery and related charges. She denies the accusations, dismissing them as “false information.” The case is part of a broader investigation into the former first couple, following Yoon’s removal from office last year after imposing a short-lived martial law that triggered a political crisis. Yoon himself is detained and facing trial for insurrection.

The court approved Han’s detention to protect evidence, prosecutors said. The church responded by pledging cooperation with the investigation, expressing hopes to restore public trust.

Founded in the 1950s by self-proclaimed messiah Sun Myung Moon, the Unification Church is known worldwide for its mass weddings and controversial fundraising practices. The religious movement has significant global influence, with businesses in construction, healthcare, and media. In recent years, it has also faced scrutiny in Japan, where its ties to politics drew criticism following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The detention of Han marks a major development in South Korea’s ongoing political and religious scandals. With Kim on trial and Yoon already detained, the outcome of these high-profile cases is expected to have significant implications for both the church and South Korea’s political landscape.