Seoul: A special counsel team has indicted Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja on charges of violating the political fund law, among other offenses, over bribery allegations linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Special counsel Min Joong-ki filed the indictment after Han was placed under arrest last month over allegations of violating the Political Funds Act and the anti-graft law, subornation of evidence destruction, and embezzlement.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Han is accused of gifting a luxury necklace and a Chanel bag to Kim, the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, through a shaman while requesting favors in July 2022. She is also suspected of colluding with a former church official surnamed Yun to hand 100 million won (US$70,300) to People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Kweon Seong-dong in January 2022 in exchange for his help in gaining favors for the church in the event of Yoon's election as president that year. Yoon went on to win the election.

Min's team also suspects Han used 144 million won in church funds to make donations under multiple names to a PPP lawmaker and others between March and April that year. The team also accused Han of colluding with Yun, the former church official, to embezzle the church's money, including 82 million won to purchase the gifts for Kim, 100 million won for Kweon, and 210 million won for donations to the PPP.

The team's investigation also reportedly found that Han, along with other former church officials, gave $100,000 in church funds to a lawmaker of another country in 2022, and $500,000 to a political party of another country. The indictment came after Han recently refused to undergo further questioning, citing health issues.

Min's team is now expected to focus its investigation into allegations that the church's followers joined the PPP en masse ahead of a party leadership race in March 2023, allegedly to support Kweon. The team has also reportedly found signs of mass sign-ups to the party by church members ahead of last year's parliamentary elections in April.

Under the Political Parties Act, an individual cannot be forced to join a political party against their will. The team is also investigating allegations that Han handed shopping bags containing cash to Kweon between February and March 2022.