South Korea Unification Church Chief Denies Bribery Allegations Involving Ex-First Lady, Politician

The head of South Korea's Unification Church, Han Hak-ja, has denied directing the church to bribe former First Lady Kim Keon-hee and politician Kweon Seong-dong, both close to ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol, amid a widening criminal investigation. Kim has been indicted for bribery and other charges, accused of receiving 80 million won in bribes, including luxury goods, from a church official in exchange for influencing business interests. Kweon is also under investigation for allegedly receiving illicit political funds from the same church official, which he denies. The implicated church official has been arrested and indicted for violating anti-graft laws, while the Unification Church expressed regret over the misconduct but denied institutional involvement. Both Kim and Kweon maintain their innocence as the justice ministry seeks parliamentary approval to arrest Kweon on political fund law violations. This investigation is part of a broader probe into former President Yoon and his wife's alleged involvement in corruption and martial law crisis scandals.