SEOUL, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- South Korea's special prosecutor on Friday indicted Hak Ja Han, the leader of the Unification Church, along with two senior aides, Yoon Young-ho and Jung Wonju, on charges of illegal political donations, embezzlement and evidence destruction.
Han and her aides are accused of orchestrating a scheme in 2022 to funnel church funds to lawmakers of the ruling party, according to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.
Investigators allege that approximately 144 million won (about $104,000) in cash was divided into smaller sums and secretly delivered to a sitting lawmaker in violation of South Korea's Political Funds Act.
The indictment also says that Han approved luxury gifts -- including designer handbags and diamond jewelry -- that were sent to people connected to the presidential office. Prosecutors further claim she directed aides to destroy internal financial records tied to an overseas gambling investigation and misappropriated church assets for political purposes.
During questioning, Han denied all allegations and reportedly testified that "Jung Wonju planned and executed everything," suggesting that her long-time executive assistant had overseen the financial dealings at the center of the probe. Her statement has drawn significant attention as it indicates possible internal division within the top ranks of the church.
