Han Hakja, Unification Church President, Appears Before Kim Gunhee Special Prosecutor for First Time After Three Absences, Citing Illness

Suspected of Providing 100 Million Won to Kwon Seongdong
Investigation Begins at 10 a.m.

Han Hakja, president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), who is suspected of offering money and valuables to government officials and politicians along with lobbying for church-related issues, appeared before Special Prosecutor Min Jungki's team on the 17th. Although Han had previously ignored three summonses from the special prosecutor's team, she announced the previous day that she would voluntarily appear for questioning.

Han Hakja, the president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), who had refused the special prosecutor's summons three times, is attending the office of Special Prosecutor Kim Gunhee set up in the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. 2025.9.17 Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Han arrived at the special prosecutor's office located in the West Wing of the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu at around 9:46 a.m. on September 17.

When asked by reporters whether she had delivered 100 million won to Assemblyman Kwon, whether she had attempted to cover up an overseas gambling investigation through Assemblyman Kwon, and whether she had instructed someone to deliver a necklace and a bag to First Lady Kim Gunhee, Han replied, "Thank you for your hard work. Please listen later."

To the question of why she had unilaterally set the date for the investigation, Han responded, "I was in pain after surgery. Let's talk later," and entered the interrogation room with the support of a Unification Church official. With this appearance, Han became the first president of the Unification Church to be publicly summoned as a suspect.

For health reasons, Han had submitted a written notice of non-attendance and refused all three requests to appear from the special prosecutor's team. Han's side previously stated that, as her health had not recovered after undergoing a heart procedure on September 4, she would voluntarily appear on either the 17th or 18th.

In response, the special prosecutor's team announced the previous day that they would "proceed according to law and principle," indicating that they were considering compulsory measures. Han's side then stated, "Although her health has not fully recovered, we hope you will understand her intention to keep her promise to the special prosecutor's team," and confirmed her appearance on the 17th.

On the same day, Han's side also released a statement saying, "She is experiencing difficulties such as decreased oxygen saturation following cardiac resection surgery," and added, "Despite the concerns of the medical staff, Han is determined not to evade legal procedures."

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

Han and the Unification Church maintain that there was no organizational involvement in the lobbying and provision of valuables, insisting that it was the personal deviation of Yoon.

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