Unification Church: "We Humbly Accept the Decision"
Han Hakja, the president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), who has been identified as the central figure in the alleged "state manipulation through collusion between religion and politics" involving the Yoon Sukyeol administration and the Unification Church, was arrested on September 23. Following the arrest of People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seongdong last week, the special prosecutor's team led by Min Junggi has gained further momentum by securing custody of another key figure.
Han Hakja, president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), who had refused to comply with the special prosecutor's summons three times, is attending the office of Special Prosecutor Kim Gunhee at the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. 2025.9.17 Photo by Kang Jinhyung
Jeong Jaeuk, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, issued an arrest warrant for President Han on charges including violation of the Political Funds Act, citing concerns over possible destruction of evidence. She has been detained at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, where former President Yoon and lawmaker Kwon are also being held.
President Han is accused of delivering 100 million won in political funds to lawmaker Kwon while requesting support for the Unification Church from the Yoon Sukyeol administration, and of being involved in lobbying First Lady Kim Gunhee on church matters by providing her with an expensive necklace and a Chanel bag through Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Bopsa. She is also suspected of purchasing these items with church funds and ordering the destruction of evidence in preparation for an investigation into her overseas gambling activities.
During the warrant review, President Han's side claimed she had "no interest in politics," but the court sided with the special prosecutor's team. However, the arrest warrant for Jeong, the former chief secretary to the president, who was also sought for arrest, was denied the previous day due to insufficient evidence of complicity. The Unification Church immediately issued a statement saying, "We humbly accept the court's decision. We sincerely apologize to the public."
With President Han now in custody, the investigation is expected to accelerate into allegations that a shopping bag containing cash was handed to lawmaker Kwon, and that a large number of Unification Church members joined the People Power Party ahead of its 2023 convention to support Kwon's bid for party leadership.
The investigation is also expected to expand to include former President Yoon and his wife. The special prosecutor's team suspects that part of the 100 million won given to lawmaker Kwon may have been passed on to former President Yoon. Since the suspects are denying the charges, establishing the connection remains a key challenge.
The special prosecutor's team plans to summon lawmaker Kwon for the second time since his arrest on the afternoon of September 23 to focus on whether additional funds or valuables were exchanged between him and the Unification Church beyond the confirmed 100 million won.
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