Special Prosecutor Issues Third Summons to Han Hakja for Non-Appearance... Secures Kim Keonhee's Phone Records from Chae Sangbyeong Special Investigation Team

Failed to Respond to Two Summons Citing Health Issues
Possibility of Arrest Warrant if Investigation is Continually Avoided
Chae Sangbyeong Special Investigation Team Raided to Secure "Kim's Call Records"
"For Inter-Agency Data Cooperation"

As Han Hakja, President of the Unification Church, has once again failed to comply with the attendance request from Special Prosecutor Min Jungki's team, the special investigation team has notified her of a third summons scheduled for the 15th.

Yonhap News Agency

On the 10th, an official from the special investigation team stated at a regular briefing, "We previously notified President Han of a summons for the 11th, but this morning her lawyers submitted a statement of non-attendance citing health reasons," adding, "Therefore, the special investigation team has issued a third summons for the 15th."

Previously, the special investigation team had notified President Han of attendance requests on both the 8th and the 11th, but she responded to both by submitting statements of non-attendance due to health reasons. President Han's side has maintained that her health issues remain unresolved, noting that her blood oxygen saturation has been below normal since undergoing a heart-related procedure on the 4th.

If President Han continues to be absent in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to avoid investigation, there is a possibility that the special investigation team may apply for an arrest warrant. However, on this day, an official from the special investigation team drew a line, saying, "We hope the third investigation will proceed. It is too early to comment now," when asked whether an arrest warrant would be considered if she fails to comply with the latest summons.

If President Han does appear, she will stand before the press photo line like any other major suspect. The special investigation team official stated, "If President Han complies with the summons, we intend to proceed with the process in the same manner as with other public figures." President Han's side has not yet stated whether she will attend the summons on the 15th.

President Han is accused of conspiring with Yoon, the former head of the Unification Church's global headquarters, to deliver 100 million won in political funds to Kwon Seongdong, a lawmaker of the People Power Party, in January 2022, requesting support for the Unification Church from the Yoon Sukyeol administration. She is also accused of being involved in lobbying for church-related issues by delivering an expensive necklace and a Chanel bag to Kim Keonhee, the former First Lady, through Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Bopsa.

Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor Secures Kim Keonhee's Phone Records from Chae Sangbyeong Special Investigation Team

In addition, on this day, the special investigation team executed a search and seizure warrant to obtain the personal mobile phone records of Kim Keonhee from the Lee Myeonghyeon special investigation team, which is investigating allegations of external pressure and cover-up in the Chae Sangbyeong case.

Former President Yoon Seokyeol's wife Kim Gunhee is leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after attending the pre-arrest warrant hearing on the afternoon of the 12th. 2025.08.12. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The special investigation team stated, "Starting at approximately 2:35 p.m. today, we are executing a search and seizure warrant against the Chae Sangbyeong special investigation team to secure the call records of suspect Kim Keonhee as part of inter-agency cooperation."

This is not a typical compulsory search and seizure; rather, because the handover of investigative materials containing personal information between agencies requires a legal basis, a search and seizure warrant was obtained. The relevant communication records are reported to cover the period between July and September 2023.

The communication records of Kim Keonhee were first secured by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, which investigated the overall case before the launch of the Chae Sangbyeong special investigation team, and were then transferred to the special investigation team after its establishment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.