Investigators interrogate the head of the Unification Church amid allegations of bribing the former first lady of South Korea
In a significant development, the leader of the Unification Church, Han Hak-ja, was questioned by South Korean prosecutors today. This comes as part of a criminal probe into the former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife.
Han Hak-ja, who is called "True Mother" by followers, is the widow of Unification Church founder Moon Sun-myung. She was assisted by aides as she arrived for questioning at the office of the special prosecutor.
The questioning follows allegations that Han Hak-ja bribed the wife of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Kim Keon Hee, the former First Lady, has also been indicted for bribery and other charges. It is reported that Kim received bribes worth 80 million won (RM242,882), including Chanel bags and a diamond necklace, from an official at the Unification Church.
The officeholder of the Unification Church accused by authorities of violating corruption laws is Tomihiro Tanaka. The Unification Church has issued a statement, expressing regret for the misconduct of a former senior official. They stated, "It is deeply regrettable that we failed to prevent the misconduct of a former senior official."
Han Hak-ja, in response to the allegations, has denied any personal involvement in illegal actions. She declined to answer questions from reporters about the allegations. However, the Unification Church's leader has stated that she is "deeply regrettable" that it failed to prevent the misconduct of a former senior official.
Kim Keon Hee's lawyers have also denied the allegations against her. Kim is currently imprisoned as part of the probe. The Unification Church's official, Tomihiro Tanaka, has also been arrested and indicted on charges including violating anti-graft laws.
Yoon, the former South Korean President, is also in detention and is on trial over insurrection charges. The Unification Church has further denied any involvement in the case. An official from the Unification Church was overheard shouting words of encouragement to Han Hak-ja as she entered the prosecutors' office.
As Han Hak-ja walked slowly through a crowd of reporters and security, she maintained a stoic demeanour. This development in the case is expected to continue to generate significant interest and discussion in South Korea.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
