South Korean Police Re‑Question Jailed Unification Church Leaders After Headquarters Raid
Updated (3 articles)
Police Conduct Second Interrogation of Han Hak‑ja and Yun Young‑ho On December 24 a special police team visited the Seoul Detention Center to question Han Hak‑ja and Yun Young‑ho again about bribery allegations linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee [1][2]. The session follows earlier interviews on December 11 and 17 that produced no substantive statements [1]. Investigators are probing whether the two leaders directed the church’s illicit payments to political figures [2].
Alleged Bribes Involve Tens of Millions in Cash and Luxury Gifts Prosecutors allege the Unification Church handed tens of millions of won and high‑end items to former Oceans Minister Chun Jae‑soo, ex‑lawmakers Lim Jong‑seong and Kim Gyu‑hwan between 2018 and 2020 [1][2]. A Bulgari watch reportedly given to Chun remains unaccounted for, and police are searching for its purchase receipt [2]. Investigators also examined a safe at Han’s Gapyeong residence that contained cash bundles worth roughly 28 billion won (about US$19 million) [2].
Police Raids Unification Church Headquarters and Multiple Residences Ahead of the second questioning, officers raided the church’s Seoul headquarters and related facilities to seize accounting records and visitor logs [1]. Earlier raids targeted Han’s Gapyeong home, the detention cells, and other church sites, while an additional search warrant allows further raids on properties linked to Chun, Lim and Kim until mid‑January [2]. Former senior official Song Kwang‑seok was also interrogated as a possible conduit for channeling church funds to politicians [1].
Investigation Expands to Additional Officials and Potential Evidence Former Oceans Minister Chun Jae‑soo was summoned on December 19 to provide testimony on the suspected bribery scheme [1]. Police continue to chase missing documentation, including the Bulgari watch receipt and sales records, and have secured an extra warrant that expires on January 14 for any newly identified residences [2]. The probe remains active as authorities seek to map the full network of illicit transfers [1][2].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Jailed Unification Church leader questioned again in bribery probe: Details the December 24 second interrogation of Han Hak‑ja and Yun Young‑ho, the prior unproductive sessions, and the raid on church headquarters to obtain financial records and visitor logs .
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2.
Yonhap: Police question jailed Unification Church leader over bribery allegations: Covers the initial December 17 questioning, outlines the alleged cash and luxury gifts to three former politicians, describes the 28 billion‑won cash found in Han’s safe, and notes the broader raids and missing Bulgari watch evidence .
Timeline
2018‑2020 – The Unification Church allegedly distributes tens of millions of won in cash and luxury gifts (including a Bulgari watch) to former Oceans Minister Chun Jae‑soo, former Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Jong‑seong and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Gyu‑hwan, forming the core of the current bribery probe [1][2][3].
Jan 14, 2026 – Police secure an additional search‑and‑seizure warrant that expires on this date, allowing investigators to raid any further residences linked to Chun, Lim or Kim if new evidence emerges [2].
Dec 11, 2025 – A special police team visits the Seoul Detention Center and questions jailed Unification Church leader Han Hak‑ja and associate Yun Young‑ho for the first time about the bribery allegations; the session yields no substantive statements [1].
Dec 14, 2025 – Police conduct coordinated raids on Han’s Gapyeong County home, the church’s Seoul headquarters, and the detention‑center cells of Han and the former church official, seeking accounting data, visitor logs and other evidence tied to the 2018‑2020 bribery scheme [2][3].
Dec 16, 2025 – A special investigation team announces it will return to the Seoul Detention Center on Wednesday to interrogate Han about whether she ordered the alleged bribes and to probe the 28 billion‑won cash cache found in her safe [3].
Dec 17, 2025 – Police execute the planned interview, questioning Han at the detention center about the cash bundles, the missing Bulgari watch, and her possible role in directing the bribes; the same day, investigators also question Yun Young‑ho [2].
Dec 19, 2025 – Former Oceans Minister Chun Jae‑soo is summoned for questioning by the probe team, expanding the investigation’s focus on political recipients of the church’s alleged payments [1].
Dec 24, 2025 – A second police team revisits the Seoul Detention Center to re‑question Han and Yun, while simultaneously raiding the Unification Church headquarters to seize accounting records and visitor logs ahead of further interrogations; former high‑ranking official Song Kwang‑seok is also questioned as a possible conduit for channeling church funds to politicians [1].