Prosecutors Seek Arrest of Unification Church Leader in Bribery Probe

South Korean prosecutors have sought the arrest of Han Hakja, leader of the Unification Church, in a widening bribery investigation that has ensnared the country’s former first lady and heightened scrutiny of ties between religious groups and conservative politicians. The move this week culminated in a Seoul court issuing a detention order that remanded Han to custody, prosecutors said, after she was questioned by investigators and attended court proceedings in Seoul.

Prosecutors allege Han directed church funds and staff to provide luxury gifts to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and to transfer cash to a People Power Party lawmaker, charges the Unification Church and Han deny. The inquiry centers on allegations that in 2022 the church delivered high-end goods to Kim, including two Chanel bags and a Graff necklace, and that it paid 100 million won, about 72,000, to lawmaker Kweon Seongdong to secure favors for the organization’s business interests if Yoon Suk Yeol won the presidency. Prosecutors have also charged violations of the Political Funds Act, anti-graft laws, incitement to destroy evidence and embezzlement, and said they sought Han’s detention because of a high risk she...