Seoul: A special counsel team questioned the leader of the Unification Church and a lawmaker Monday over allegations of bribery linked to the former administration of Yoon Suk Yeol.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the team led by special counsel Min Joong-ki summoned Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja and People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Kweon Seong-dong for separate questioning. The allegations suggest that Han and a former church official provided 100 million won (US$71,600) to the lawmaker in 2022 in return for his assistance in gaining favors for the church from the future Yoon administration.

Yoon assumed office in May 2022, with Kweon being regarded as one of his close confidants. Han appeared for questioning for the second time following her arrest last week, while Kweon made his third appearance after being arrested on September 16.

The special counsel team is considering indicting the lawmaker ahead of the extended Chuseok holiday, which begins on Friday, as his pretrial arrest is set to expire e
arly next month.

In addition to questioning Han and Kweon, the team also interrogated Lee Ki-hoon, former vice chairman of Sambu Construction, who has been charged in connection with a stock price manipulation scheme potentially involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee; and Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman close to her who is accused of interfering in nominations for the 2022 local elections.