Seoul: Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja was interrogated for several hours by a special counsel team over allegations of bribery linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Han, who arrived at special counsel Min Joong-ki's office in central Seoul with assistance, had previously skipped three summonses citing health issues following a heart procedure.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the special counsel team prepared a comprehensive questionnaire approximately 50 pages long, and Han cooperated fully without invoking her right to remain silent. She is accused of collaborating with a former church official in 2022 to provide 100 million won (about US$72,400) to People Power Party Rep. Kweon Seong-dong in exchange for favorable treatment for the church contingent on Yoon Suk Yeol's presidential victory, which ultimately occurred.
Further allegations involve Han's suspected role in gifting a luxury necklace and Chanel bags to Yoon's wife, Kim, in exchange for favors within the same year. Han, when questioned by reporters about her refusal to attend earlier summonses, cited post-surgery health concerns. She attended the questioning with medical support, including her doctor and nurse, and an ambulance was on standby.
Reporters questioned Han about the monetary gift to Kweon, to which she responded, "Why would I need to do that?" She provided a similar response regarding the gifts to Kim and denied directly ordering their delivery. Han's defense claims she was uninvolved in the alleged bribery, attributing the actions solely to the former church official.
Earlier that day, Kweon was detained after a court issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of receiving the 100 million won. Han's appearance followed the special counsel team's suggestion of possibly seeking a warrant for her detention.
During a routine press briefing, assistant special counsel Kim Hyong-kun remarked on Han's unscheduled appearance, suggesting it was prompted by Kweon's arrest. He emphasized the team's commitment to handling the case under legal principles and procedures, indicating their intention to pursue an arrest warrant.