Han’s Legal Team Expected to Cite “Health Issues”
Decision on Possible Release Could Come as Early as Tomorrow
The detention review hearing for Han Hakja, president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), who was arrested over allegations of collusion between the Yoon Sukyeol administration and the Unification Church in a case dubbed "state capture through church-state collusion," will be held tomorrow.
Han Hakja, the president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), who had refused to appear three times when summoned by the special prosecutor, 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
The Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Appellate Division 8-3 (Presiding Judges Choi Jinsook, Cha Seunghwan, and Choi Haeil) will hold Han’s detention review hearing at 4 p.m. on October 1.
The detention review is a procedure in which the court examines whether the suspect’s detention is lawful and whether continued detention is necessary. Within 48 hours of receiving the petition, the court interrogates the suspect and reviews evidence to comprehensively reassess the requirements for detention and the necessity of continued custody. During this period, the investigation of Han will be suspended.
Previously, the special prosecutor’s team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Gunhee, arrested Han on September 23 on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act. Han’s legal team, who filed for the detention review with the district court the following day, is expected to argue that Han cannot continue to be detained due to health issues.
On the other hand, the special prosecutor’s team is expected to emphasize the necessity of detention, citing Han’s lack of cooperation with the investigation so far, her general denial of the charges, and concerns about destruction of evidence.
Han is accused of delivering 100 million won in political funds to People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seongdong while requesting government support for the Unification Church from the Yoon administration, and of being involved in giving an expensive necklace and a Chanel bag to First Lady Kim Gunhee through Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Bopsa, in order to lobby for church-related issues. Han is also suspected of purchasing these items with church funds and instructing the destruction of evidence in preparation for an investigation into her overseas gambling activities.
Han’s legal team claimed during the warrant review that she has no interest in politics, but the court sided with the special prosecutor’s team, citing concerns about the destruction of evidence. The Unification Church immediately released a statement saying, “We humbly accept the court’s decision. We sincerely apologize to the public.”
With Han now in custody, the investigation is expected to accelerate into allegations that she handed a shopping bag containing cash to lawmaker Kwon and orchestrated the mass admission of Unification Church members into the People Power Party ahead of its 2023 convention to support Kwon’s bid for party leader.
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 delivered to Kwon was funneled to former President Yoon. As the suspects involved continue to deny the charges, finding concrete links remains a key challenge for investigators.
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