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Han Hak‑ja Returned to Detention After Court Denies Extension on Feb 22

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  • Han Hak-ja (in wheelchair), leader of the Unification Church, appears at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital in this file photo taken Sept. 22, 2025, to attend a hearing on the legality of her arrest over charges of bribery linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. (Yonhap)
    Han Hak-ja (in wheelchair), leader of the Unification Church, appears at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital in this file photo taken Sept. 22, 2025, to attend a hearing on the legality of her arrest over charges of bribery linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Han Hak-ja (in wheelchair), leader of the Unification Church, appears at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital in this file photo taken Sept. 22, 2025, to attend a hearing on the legality of her arrest over charges of bribery linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. (Yonhap) Source Full size

Court Decision Ends Temporary Release, Sends Han Back to Jail The Seoul Central District Court rejected Han Hak‑ja’s request to prolong her temporary release on Feb 22, ordering her return to detention [1]. The ruling came after a brief suspension of custody that began on Feb 11, when the court allowed her to remain free pending trial [1]. Judges cited no procedural error in the denial, emphasizing that the health‑related justification had expired [1].

Health Concerns Prompted Earlier Release and Medical Treatment On Feb 11 the court suspended Han’s detention through Saturday, citing a recent fall and the need for medical care [1]. During that period she received treatment for injuries sustained in the fall [1]. A prior temporary release in November had been granted to permit eye‑surgery, marking this as her second health‑related freedom from custody [1].

Bribery Indictment Connects Han to Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee Prosecutors indicted Han in October on violations of the political‑fund law, alleging she gave a luxury necklace and a Chanel bag to former first lady Kim Keon Hee [1]. The charges assert that the gifts were financed with political funds, constituting illegal patronage [1]. The case forms part of a broader investigation into political corruption involving religious organizations [1].

Unification Church Leadership Places Religious Group at Center of Scandal Han Hak‑ja is identified as the leader of the Unification Church, linking the denomination directly to the high‑profile bribery probe [1]. Her position amplifies scrutiny of the church’s political engagements and financial practices [1]. Observers note that the case may affect the church’s public image and its ties to South Korean political elites [1].

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Timeline

Sept 2025 – Han Hak‑ja, leader of the Unification Church, is arrested on bribery and illegal‑political‑donation charges, launching a high‑profile probe into the sect’s political ties [1].

Oct 2025 – A special‑counsel team indicts Han for violating the political‑fund law by gifting a luxury necklace and Chanel bag to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, expanding the investigation into alleged patronage [1].

Nov 2025 – A court grants Han a temporary release to undergo eye‑surgery after a fall, allowing brief medical treatment while the case remains pending [1].

Dec 1, 2025 – The Seoul Central District Court holds the first hearing of Han’s trial; prosecutors allege she bribed Kim Keon Hee and transferred 100 million won to MP Kweon Seong‑dong, while Han’s lawyer says the case “relies solely on Yun’s testimony” and denies her involvement [29][30].

Dec 8, 2025 – Former Unification Church official Yun Young‑ho testifies that the church provided support to several Democratic Party politicians ahead of the 2022 presidential election, broadening the alleged scope of political influence beyond the People Power Party [28].

Dec 9, 2025 – Special‑counsel Min Joong‑ki’s team transfers the preliminary DP‑related investigation to the National Police Agency, citing concerns over selective inquiry and the looming statute of limitations [27]; Yun is expected to name DP lawmakers during his embezzlement trial later that day [26].

Dec 10, 2025 – President Lee Jae Myung orders a “stern” cross‑party probe into illegal ties between religious groups and politicians, stating “the investigation must apply equally to all parties and ranks” [24]; the same day the special counsel seeks a four‑year term for Yun, police question Han about cash bundles worth 28 billion won found in her safe, and Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young calls reports of receiving money “groundless” [23][15][21].

Dec 11, 2025 – The special counsel confirms Yun’s claim that five politicians—spanning both ruling and opposition parties—received church funds, highlighting the breadth of alleged corruption [20].

Dec 14, 2025 – Police identify Han as a suspect in a bribery case and raid the Unification Church’s Seoul headquarters and her Gapyeong residence, seizing accounting records and searching for luxury watches allegedly given to former Oceans Minister Chun Jae‑soo [18][19][17][16].

Dec 15, 2025 – Prosecutors formally name Han as a suspect for violating the Political Funds Act and delivering bribes to multiple politicians; Chun Jae‑soo resigns amid the scandal [16].

Dec 17, 2025 – Special counsel Min Joong‑ki petitions a four‑year prison term for PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong‑dong, who allegedly accepted 100 million won in 2022; police also question Han and former aide Jeong Won‑ju about cash and luxury‑gift transfers, and Han’s lawyer reiterates that “the allegations rest only on Yun’s testimony” [14][15][13].

Dec 18, 2025 – Former chief of staff Jeong Won‑ju appears at the KNPA as a witness; investigators examine a 500‑book purchase order allegedly made for former Oceans Minister Chun Jae‑soo [13].

Dec 21, 2025 – The ruling Democratic Party announces it will back a special‑counsel probe into Unification Church bribery, with floor leader Kim Byung‑ki urging a “full investigation of collusion and illegal donations” across all parties [11][12].

Dec 22, 2025 – Both the DP and the Democratic Party of Korea shift to support an independent or special counsel to investigate the Unification Church, citing a Gallup poll showing 62 % public backing and emphasizing the need to examine ties to both the PPP and the ruling party [9][10].

Dec 30, 2025 – Police transfer Han Hak‑ja and three other church officials to the prosecution, formalizing the illegal‑political‑donation case that began with her September arrest [8].

Dec 31, 2025 – Authorities raid the Gapyeong home of Jeong Won‑ju, former chief secretary to Han, seizing evidence related to alleged 20 million‑won cash and Bulgari‑watch bribes paid to former Oceans Minister Chun in 2018 [7].

Jan 15, 2026 – A joint prosecution‑police team expands the Unification Church bribery probe by questioning former official Yun Young‑ho at Seoul Detention Center, following a raid on the church’s headquarters that seized servers and phones [6].

Jan 26, 2026 – President Lee orders a joint investigation team to prioritize the Shincheonji case, accusing the sect of mass‑joining the People Power Party and mobilizing support for Yoon Suk‑yeol in 2022, while noting that the Unification Church probe proceeds more slowly [5].

Jan 28, 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court sentences PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong‑dong to two years in prison for accepting 100 million won from the Unification Church, with the court stating “lawmakers must act according to conscience and prioritize the national interest” [3]; on the same day former church official Yun Young‑ho receives a 14‑month term for embezzlement and political‑fund violations [4].

Jan 30, 2026 – Prosecutors and police raid Shincheonji’s headquarters in Gwacheon and its Gapyeong training center, seizing data on alleged “Pilates” projects that recruited tens of thousands of members into the People Power Party ahead of the 2021 primary and 2024 elections [2].

Feb 11, 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court suspends Han’s detention through Saturday, granting a temporary release on health grounds after she requests to stand trial without being detained; she had received treatment for a recent fall during this period [1].

Feb 22, 2026 – The court denies Han’s request to extend her temporary release and returns her to detention, marking her second release since the September arrest and underscoring ongoing scrutiny of alleged bribery linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee [1].

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