Han Hak-Ja, heir of Reverend Moon, accused of corruption
South Korean prosecutors have requested a setback for the leader of the unification church, Han Hak-Ja, widow and spiritual heir of the founder, the reverend Moon Sun -myung, on an accusation of corruption, linked to the former First Lady of the country, and of instigation to destruction of evidence. The decision came the day after the 82 -year -old religious leader was questioned about his alleged role in the corruption of the former First Lady Kim Keon Hee and an important parliamentarian.
Founded in 1954 by Moon Sun -myung, the unification church has long been the subject of disputes and criticisms, with its teachings focused on the role of Moon as a new Messiah, her mass marriages and sectarian modalities. But the scope of the Church extends well beyond religion, ranging from media to tourism to food distribution. Han took on the guidance of the Church after Moon’s death in 2012. “We requested an arrest warrant for Han today,” said prosecutor Park Sang-Jin. “The accusations against her include violation of the law on political funds, anti-corruption law, incitement to the destruction of tests and embezzlement,” he added. “We considered the risk that they tamperized the tests very high, which prompted us to request the mandate”.
A court should examine the validity of the mandate request at the beginning of next week. Han is suspected of ordering the delivery of luxury gifts, including a signed bag and a diamond necklace at the former First Lady Kim in 2022, to get her husband, Yoon Suk Yeol, who became president that year. The former First Lady was arrested and offended with the accusation of corruption and manipulation of the stock market, while her husband, who is also in custody, is on trial for her declaration of martial law in December.
Han is also accused of having corrupt an important parliamentarian with 100 million won (72,000 dollars). On Tuesday, a Seoul Court issued a arrest warrant for the parliamentarian Kweon Seong-Dong, citing the risk that could tamper with the tests. Han, who was brought out of the public prosecutor’s office after over nine hours of interrogation, denied any offense.
