Charges Include Violations of the Political Funds Act and Embezzlement
Attempt to Secure Custody Just One Day After Summons Investigation
First Summons and Investigation of Kwon Seongdong Following Detention over 'Collusion between Politics and Religion' Allegations
On September 18, the special prosecutor's team led by Min Junggi, which is investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Gunhee, requested arrest warrants for Han Hakja, president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), and former chief secretary Jeong, on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act. This move to secure their custody came just one day after their first summons investigation.
Han Hakja, the president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), who had refused to appear before the special prosecutor three times, is attending the office of Special Prosecutor Kim Gunhee set up at the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on September 17, 2025. Photo by Kang Jinhyung
Special Prosecutor Park Sangjin announced at a media briefing that morning, "Today, we have requested arrest warrants for Han Hakja, president of the Unification Church, and Jeong, the former chief secretary to the president."
The charges specified in the warrant include violations of the Political Funds Act, the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, instigation of evidence destruction, and embezzlement in the course of work. This is the first time President Han has faced the possibility of arrest since assuming her position in September 2012.
It is known that President Han largely denied the charges during the approximately nine-and-a-half-hour investigation the previous day. The special prosecutor's team, citing a high risk of evidence destruction, immediately requested an arrest warrant. Han's attitude-refusing three previous summonses and only appearing voluntarily after her accomplice, Kwon Seongdong of the People Power Party, was detained-also appears to have been taken into consideration.
President Han is accused of conspiring with Yoon, former global headquarters chief of the Unification Church, to deliver 100 million won in political funds to Assemblyman Kwon Seongdong in January 2022, while requesting support for the Unification Church from the Yoon Sukyeol administration. Jeong, for whom an arrest warrant was also requested, is known as the deputy director of Cheonmuwon, the highest administrative body of the Unification Church, as well as Han's chief secretary. He faces the same charges as Han.
The Seoul Central District Court is expected to hold the substantive review of their arrest warrants next week.
Special Prosecutor Conducts First Investigation of Assemblyman Kwon Seongdong after Detention over 'Collusion between Politics and Religion' Allegations
Meanwhile, at 2 p.m. on the same day, the special prosecutor's team summoned and is questioning Assemblyman Kwon Seongdong, who was detained on charges of violating the Political Funds Act, for the first time since his arrest. Assemblyman Kwon has been identified as a key figure in the alleged collusion between the Yoon Sukyeol administration and the Unification Church.
Kwon Seongdong, a member of the People Power Party accused of receiving illegal political funds, is leaving the plenary hall after voting on the motion for his arrest consent at the National Assembly plenary session on September 11, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Special Prosecutor Park stated, "During the investigation of Assemblyman Kwon, we will inquire whether there were any additional exchanges beyond the charges specified in the arrest warrant, particularly regarding any specific actions stemming from various connections with the Unification Church."
Previously, on September 16, Nam Sejin, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, issued an arrest warrant for Assemblyman Kwon after his pretrial detention hearing, citing "concerns over destruction of evidence."
Assemblyman Kwon is accused of receiving 100 million won in illegal political funds from Yoon, the former global headquarters chief of the Unification Church, ahead of the 2022 presidential election, while being asked to address issues facing the religious group. The special prosecutor's team summoned Kwon for questioning on August 28 and requested an arrest warrant the following day. On September 11, the National Assembly passed the motion to consent to his arrest. The arrest warrant request stated, "Political power and a religious organization colluded to manipulate state affairs, interfere in elections, and disrupt the judicial order."
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