Unification Church leader indicted in South Korea bribery case

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Oct 2025 13:21

Han Hak-ja, head of the Unification Church, has been indicted in South Korea on bribery charges linked to former First Lady Kim Keon Hee.

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Reverend Moon Sun-myung, left, founder of the controversial Unification Church, helped by his wife Han Hak-ja cuts a birthday cake at his birthday party in Gapyeong, South Korea, on February 19, 2010. (AP)

South Korean prosecutors have formally indicted Han Hak-ja, the 82-year-old leader of the Unification Church, on charges of bribery linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, officials said Friday.

Han, who was arrested last month, faces allegations including violations of the Political Funds Act for her role in providing luxury gifts to the former first lady. Prosecutors said Han orchestrated the delivery of a luxury necklace and designer bags worth approximately 82 million won ($57,688) to Kim Keon Hee on multiple occasions.

In addition, Han is accused of conspiring with a former church official to transfer 100 million won ($70,302) to conservative lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong in 2022, aiming to secure political favor for then-presidential candidate Yoon Suk Yeol, who subsequently assumed office.

Leadership of the Unification Church

The Unification Church, founded in 1954 by Han’s late husband Moon Sun-myung, has long faced controversy in South Korea and abroad, often being accused of cult-like practices. Following Moon’s death in 2012, Han assumed leadership of the organization and is now revered by followers as the church’s “holy mother” and god’s “only begotten daughter.”

The church claims around three million followers globally, including 300,000 in South Korea and 600,000 in Japan, and controls a diversified business empire spanning construction, tourism, education, and media.

Broader legal context

The legal proceedings come amid broader investigations into corruption during Yoon’s presidency. Both Kim Keon Hee and Yoon Suk Yeol are under investigation, with the former first lady already indicted on bribery and stock manipulation charges, while Yoon faces trial over his controversial martial law declaration in December.

Prosecutors have indicated that they will continue probing Han and her associates for potential violations of the Political Parties Act and other offenses, signaling a wider scrutiny of the church’s political and financial influence in South Korea.