ISTANBUL

The leader of the controversial Unification Church, Han Hak-ja, was arrested Tuesday in South Korea after a court approved warrants on allegations of bribery, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

The Seoul Central District Court issued the warrant for the 82-year-old church leader, who is under investigation for alleged involvement in bribing Kim Keon Hee, the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol and a lawmaker.

The court cited concerns that Han might destroy evidence. The request was made last week by Special Counsel Min Joong-ki's team, who cited charges related to violations of the Political Funds Act and anti-graft law, tampering with evidence and embezzlement.

Han is accused of conspiring with a former church official, surnamed Yun, to provide 100 million won ($72,400) to People Power Party Rep. Kweon Seong-dong in 2022, in exchange for his assistance in securing favors for the church if Yoon won the presidential election later that year, which he did.

Additionally, Han is suspected of gifting a luxury necklace and Chanel bags to Yoon's wife, Kim, while seeking favors, using church funds to buy the gifts and instructing Yun to destroy evidence ahead of an investigation into her alleged gambling abroad.

But the church denies any involvement by Han, claiming that the alleged actions were carried out solely by the former church official.
The Unification Church, founded in 1954 by staunch anti-communists in South Korea, is widely labeled a cult.

A Japanese court earlier this year ordered the dissolution of its branch, leading to the loss of its legal status.