South Korean authorities have detained Hak Ja Han, the 82-year-old widow of Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, in a widening corruption investigation that has already ensnared a former president's wife.

The Seoul Central District Court approved Han's arrest early Tuesday, citing concerns she might destroy evidence in the bribery case. According to AP News, Han is being investigated for allegedly directing church officials to bribe Kim Keon Hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, and conservative lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong. Han has denied all allegations against her.

The Unification Church criticized the arrest, pointing out that Han had voluntarily appeared for questioning last week despite recovering from a recent heart procedure. Church officials have portrayed the investigation as disrespectful treatment of an internationally recognized religious leader and maintained that any improper actions were taken by individual church officials without Han's knowledge or approval.

Former First Lady Implicated in Bribery Scheme

Kim Keon Hee, wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was arrested last month on multiple charges including bribery and stock manipulation. Investigators allege she accepted luxury gifts through intermediaries from Unification Church officials seeking business favors. These favors reportedly included the church's participation in a Cambodian development project.

The case centers on Yoon Young-ho, a church official who has been arrested and is suspected of acting as a conduit for bribes. Prosecutors claim he provided 100 million won (approximately $71,800) to lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong, a loyal supporter of former President Yoon. Kweon was arrested last week and denies receiving money from the church.

Political Fallout Continues for Former President

The investigation into Han and the Unification Church is one of three special prosecutor probes targeting former President Yoon's administration. Yoon himself was impeached in December 2023 and removed from office in April after briefly imposing martial law. He was subsequently re-arrested in July and now faces rebellion charges along with other allegations.

The other investigations focus on Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration on December 3 and his government's alleged cover-up of a marine's drowning death during flood rescue operations in 2023. These multiple investigations represent a significant effort by South Korea's new liberal government to examine potential wrongdoing during Yoon's presidency.

Unification Church's Controversial Legacy

Han has led the Unification Church since the death of her husband, Sun Myung Moon, who founded the organization in 1954. Moon, who claimed to be a messiah with new interpretations of the Bible, built the church into a global movement with millions of followers and extensive business interests across multiple countries. The church, officially called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, is perhaps best known for its mass wedding ceremonies.

During her questioning last week, which lasted nearly 10 hours, Han maintained her innocence. Both she and church officials have insisted that Yoon Young-ho, the arrested church official, acted independently and exceeded his authority without Han's knowledge or direction.

Wider Investigation Targets Conservative Party

Investigators have expanded their probe to include the conservative People Power Party headquarters. They are examining claims that Unification Church members registered en masse before the party's 2023 leadership race to boost Kweon's candidacy. This suggests potential political manipulation beyond direct financial bribes.

The court's decision to detain Han came after an hours-long hearing on Monday. She will now be held at a detention center near Seoul as the investigation continues, marking a significant escalation in a case that has already toppled a presidency and continues to shake South Korea's political establishment.

Why This Story Matters

This unfolding scandal underscores the importance of transparency in both political and religious institutions. It reveals how deep the ties between church and state can run, and the consequences when those ties are abused. Public trust in governance and faith-based organizations is at stake.

Conclusion

Hak Ja Han, spiritual leader of the Unification Church, was arrested Tuesday in connection with an expansive bribery investigation involving the jailed former South Korean first lady and a prominent lawmaker.

Han’s detention followed an arrest warrant issued over concerns she might obstruct the ongoing probe. Authorities are investigating claims that bribes tied to political favor and legislative influence were offered under Han’s instruction—accusations she denies.

Church representatives argue that a senior official acted alone, while prosecutors are pressing forward with overlapping investigations into alleged corruption, political manipulation, and abuse of power under former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration. As the case unfolds, South Korea grapples with the legal and ethical implications of powerful institutions operating in the shadows of democratic governance.