Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja questioned by prosecutors over alleged bribery in Seoul, South Korea

Han Hak-ja, leader of the Unification Church, appeared Wednesday for questioning by prosecutors over alleged involvement in bribing the wife of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, as part of a criminal probe into the former first couple.

Han declined to answer reporters’ questions about the allegations as she arrived at the office of the special prosecutor. Asked why she had chosen to respond to questioning after refusing earlier summons, she said, “I’ve been unwell.” She was assisted by aides as she walked slowly through a crowd of reporters and security, and a church official shouted, “Mother, hang in there,” as she made her way inside. Han, whom followers call “True Mother,” is the widow of Unification Church founder Moon Sun-myung, who died in 2012.

An ambulance arranged by Han was on standby while she was interrogated, according to the special prosecutor’s team. Deputy special prosecutor Kim Hyong Kun told reporters that Han did not exercise her right to remain silent and answered questions well related to allegations of violating political funding and anti-graft laws. Kim said prosecutors were not currently considering an arrest warrant for Han, since she had come in for questioning.

Han has been accused of instructing the religious group to bribe former first lady Kim Keon Hee and Kweon Seong-dong, a veteran lawmaker and close confidante of Yoon. The special prosecutor has indicted Kim for bribery and other charges in a widening probe into several alleged wrongdoings before and during Yoon’s presidency. Prosecutors allege that Kim received bribes worth 80 million won ($57,958), including two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace, from a church official in return for using her influence to help the church’s business interests. Kim’s lawyers have denied the allegations, including those over her receipt of gifts.

Kweon, from the conservative People Power Party, was detained Wednesday over concerns he could destroy evidence, prosecutors said.

Yoon, also in detention, is on trial over insurrection charges brought by a separate special prosecutor in connection with his botched bid to declare martial law.

The church official whom prosecutors say was behind the bribery has been arrested and indicted on charges including violating anti-graft laws, a case that raises the question of accountability for those entrusted with much (Luke 12:48). The Unification Church, formally called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, previously said it was “deeply regrettable” that it failed to prevent the misconduct of a former senior official, but denied any involvement in the case.

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