Han Hak-ja, the leader of the Unification Church, was arrested early Tuesday in Seoul, South Korea, on corruption charges involving bribery and illegal political funding.
The 82-year-old religious figure, revered by her followers as “True Mother,” was taken into custody following a warrant issued by the Seoul Central District Court.
Authorities allege that Han funneled illicit funds and provided bribes to Kim Keon-hee, the wife of ousted South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol, in exchange for business and political favors.
The scandal, which has gripped the country’s religious and political circles, comes amid heightened scrutiny of the intersection between faith-based organizations and power in South Korea.
In its ruling, the court expressed concerns that Han, if left free, could tamper with or destroy key evidence related to the case.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of the charges, citing the potential misuse of religious donations for political influence. Following the ruling, Han was transferred to a detention facility south of Seoul, where she awaits further questioning.
Han appeared at the courthouse on Monday in a wheelchair, dressed in a black suit, her demeanor solemn as cameras flashed around her.
By Tuesday morning, news of her formal arrest had sparked widespread debate across South Korea, raising questions about the enduring influence of the Unification Church, an organization that has long stirred both loyalty and controversy.
Since the death of her husband, who was the founder of the churcg, Rev. Sun Myung Moon in 2012, Han Hak-ja has led the church, guiding millions of members worldwide.
Known to her followers as a spiritual matriarch, she assumed control during a period of transition, striving to maintain the church’s cohesion despite internal divisions and external criticism.
For years, the Unification Church has operated largely outside the spotlight in South Korea, though its global reach and financial power have been widely acknowledged. Han’s arrest thrusts the institution back into national focus, reviving debates about the role of religious groups in politics.
The case is also significant because it links the church directly to the downfall of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon, who was impeached and removed from office earlier this year, now faces renewed public scrutiny as prosecutors unravel the extent of his wife’s alleged dealings with Han.
Investigators accuse Han of providing financial support designed to secure favorable treatment for church-affiliated businesses and to influence government policies.
The details of these alleged transactions, prosecutors say, point to a deliberate attempt to intertwine religious authority with political power.
Reaction to the arrest has been mixed.
Some South Koreans view it as a long-overdue reckoning for powerful religious figures who have historically operated beyond the reach of accountability. Others see it as a politically charged move, given the lingering controversies surrounding Yoon’s impeachment.
For church members, the arrest of their leader is a profound shock.
Loyal followers describe Han as a moral and spiritual guide, while critics argue that her leadership has blurred the line between faith and political influence.
As South Korea grapples with the fallout, the case underscores broader issues, the complex entanglement of religion, politics, and money. For many observers, Han’s arrest is not just about one leader or one church; it is about whether powerful institutions can finally be held accountable under the law.
