South Korea’s special prosecutor on Friday indicted Han Hak-ja, the 82-year-old leader of the Unification Church, on multiple charges, including alleged involvement in bribing the wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol.
In a statement, the prosecutor’s office said Han faces charges of violating the Political Funds Act, illegal solicitation, inciting the destruction of evidence, and embezzlement.
The indictment marks a significant escalation in a high-profile corruption probe that has rocked both South Korea’s political and religious establishments.
Prosecutors allege that Han and other church officials were involved in attempts to funnel illicit funds and favors to Yoon’s wife during his presidency, part of a wider influence-peddling investigation that contributed to his downfall.
Han, who was arrested last month after a Seoul court approved a detention warrant, has denied all allegations, dismissing them as “false information.”
The Unification Church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has faced growing scrutiny in South Korea and Japan over its financial dealings and alleged political connections.
Han’s indictment adds another layer of complexity to the country’s ongoing political crisis following Yoon’s impeachment and removal from office earlier this year amid a series of corruption scandals.
The special prosecutor’s office said further investigations into the flow of funds and potential co-conspirators are ongoing.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
