The first summons investigation of Unification Church President Han Hak-ja after detention by the special counsel on Kim Keon-hee ended after about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
President Han appeared at the special counsel's office set up at the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno District around 3:14 p.m. on the 24th, arriving in a Ministry of Justice transport vehicle. President Han was questioned from about 3:30 p.m. and finished around 8:05 p.m. that day.
This was the first investigation since the early morning of the 23rd, when she was detained. Earlier, on the 18th, the special counsel sought an arrest warrant for President Han on four charges: violations of the Political Funds Act, violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, instigating the destruction of evidence, and embezzlement in the course of duty. The court then issued an arrest warrant on the 23rd, saying there was "concern about the destruction of evidence."
The special counsel believes that in 2022, then Unification Church global headquarters head Yoon Young-ho instructed and approved, through shaman Jeonseong-bae, for Kim Keon-hee to be given a luxury Chanel bag and a Graff necklace, and that the person who did so was President Han. It also determined that President Han was involved in former headquarters head Yoon delivering at least 100 million won in illegal political funds to Rep. Kwon.
President Han also faces charges of violating the Political Parties Act by organizing the mass enrollment of Unification Church members as party members ahead of the People Power Party's convention in Mar. 2023. In addition, around Oct. 2022, she is accused of instigating the destruction of evidence to quash an investigation into an overseas gambling trip in which she was implicated.