South Korean investigators have formally requested an arrest warrant for Hak Ja Han, the 82-year-old leader of the controversial Unification Church. The move comes just one day after Han endured a grueling 10-hour interrogation over explosive allegations that her organization funneled bribes to Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, and a key ally in parliament.

Han, the widow of the church's charismatic founder Sun Myung Moon, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The church, officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, issued a scathing statement blasting the arrest bid as "excessive" and disrespectful to a revered religious figure. "Requesting an arrest warrant for an internationally respected leader without clear evidence disregards basic human dignity," the statement read. Han, who recently underwent a heart procedure, has reportedly cooperated fully with authorities, insisting she poses no flight risk or threat to evidence.

The allegations paint a picture of shadowy influence-peddling at the highest levels. Prosecutors claim a senior Unification Church official—now in custody—delivered luxury gifts and a staggering 100 million won (about $72,400) in cash to Kim Keon Hee via intermediaries. In return, the official allegedly sought favors, including the church's involvement in a lucrative Cambodian real estate venture.

Separately, the same figure is accused of bankrolling conservative lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong's bid for leadership in the People Power Party during its 2023 race. Investigators raided party headquarters on Thursday, seizing documents that could reveal a coordinated effort by church members to flood the voter rolls in Kweon's favor.

Also Read: Ex-First Lady Bribery Probe Targets South Korea Church Head

Kweon, a die-hard supporter of Yoon, was arrested earlier this week and has rejected the bribery claims outright. Kim Keon Hee, meanwhile, was detained last month on a laundry list of charges: bribery, stock manipulation, and even meddling in legislative candidate selections. Her legal team maintains her innocence, portraying the case as a politically motivated witch hunt.

This scandal is just one thread in a broader unraveling of Yoon's legacy. The former president's disastrous declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024—a move that paralyzed the nation for mere hours—triggered his swift impeachment and ouster from office in April 2025. Under the new liberal administration, three special prosecutor investigations now circle Yoon's tenure like vultures. Beyond the Unification Church bribery saga, probes are dissecting the martial law fiasco and a heartbreaking cover-up of a marine's death during a botched 2023 flood rescue mission, where a young soldier drowned while superiors allegedly prioritized optics over lives.

Founded in 1954 by Moon—a self-anointed messiah who blended biblical reinterpretations with staunch conservative ideals—the Unification Church exploded into a global powerhouse. With millions of adherents worldwide, it's infamous for its lavish mass weddings, where thousands of strangers from diverse nations are paired in holy matrimony to promote "world peace." But critics have long decried it as a cult, accusing it of brainwashing followers and amassing a shadowy empire of businesses, from media outlets to arms manufacturing.

As the Seoul court gears up for Han's arrest hearing on Monday, the nation watches breathlessly. Will the "Cult Queen," as detractors call her, be caged? Or is this the latest salvo in a partisan war that's eroding faith in South Korea's institutions? One thing's clear: the unholy alliance between religion, politics, and power has never looked more precarious.

Also Read: Japan and South Korea Clash at UN Over Wartime Sexual Slavery