Seoul: Han Hak-ja, the leader of the Unification Church, is set to voluntarily appear for questioning by a special counsel team this week. This decision follows her previous non-compliance with earlier summonses regarding allegations of delivering luxury gifts to former first lady Kim Keon Hee in exchange for favors, her attorneys indicated on Sunday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki had initially summoned Han for questioning scheduled for Monday. However, her legal representatives cited health reasons for her inability to attend. This marks the third instance in which Han, who is reportedly in her early 80s, has not responded to the team's summons.

Her attorneys have now stated that Han will be available for questioning either on Wednesday or Thursday. The Unification Church explained that Han underwent a medical procedure for arrhythmia on September 4, followed by another episode of irregular heartbeats a week later. A church official confirmed that Han's medical records have been submitted to the special counsel.

The official emphasized that Han is not avoiding the inquiry and is committed to cooperating fully with the investigation. The special counsel had previously attempted to question Han on two occasions last week, but she was unable to attend due to health-related issues.

The allegations involve Han's suspected role in a Unification Church official's delivery of luxury gifts to Kim in 2022, purportedly in exchange for favors from then-President Yoon Seok Yeol in projects linked to the church. Furthermore, Han is accused of directing a senior church official, Yun, to provide People Power Party Representative Kweon Seong-dong with 100 million won (approximately US$71,740) to solicit support from the Yoon administration for the church.

The Unification Church has consistently stated that the gifts were given based on the personal motives of the official involved and that there was no formal involvement by the church in these activities.