Unification Church leader faces investigation over bribery allegations

In South Korea, the leader of the international Unification Church, Hak Ja Han, was questioned by investigators regarding alleged bribery accusations. This incident occurred following suspicions that the church attempted to bribe Kim Keon Hee, the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a bid to secure business benefits. The questioning took place just hours after an arrest warrant was issued for a conservative lawmaker and staunch Yoon supporter, Kweon Seong-dong, who has also been cited in the bribery claims. Han's appearance for questioning was significant as she had previously avoided investigators on three separate occasions due to health reasons. The investigation is led by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki and is a part of broader criminal probes targeting Yoon's administration and its associates, highlighting substantial political controversy in the nation. Allegations against Kim Keon Hee include accepting luxury gifts via an intermediary linked to the church while she is also implicated in a stock price manipulation scheme associated with a local BMW dealership. The scrutiny continues amid multiple arrests linked to Yoon's presidency, as well as corruption claims involving his wife. The Unification Church, known for its mass weddings and conservative values, has denied allegations of direct involvement in the bribery, attributing the actions of the church official to personal misconduct. This criminal investigation sheds light on the church's controversial history, which has included accusations of deceptive practices in recruitment and fundraising, particularly in Japan. Political tensions have been exacerbated as calls for accountability rise following the controversial tenure of Yoon, who faced multiple issues related to martial law and corruption during his time in office.