Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Han Hak-ja Leader... Securing Key Figure in Unification Church

[Financial News] The court has issued an arrest warrant for Han Hak-ja, the Unification Church leader, who is suspected of soliciting favors from former President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife.
Seoul Central District Court Judge Jeong Jae-wook, who is in charge of warrants, conducted a pre-arrest interrogation (warrant review) of Han, who is accused of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, on the 23rd and issued the arrest warrant, citing "concerns of evidence destruction."
Han was interrogated for about 5 hours from 1:30 PM to 6:35 PM on the same day. The interrogation of Jeong Won-ju, the former leader's secretary, who was identified as an accomplice, concluded around 8:25 PM.
The special prosecutor team led by Min Joong-gi included 8 prosecutors at the team leader level who participated in the interrogation. The special prosecutor emphasized the need for arrest, citing Han's denial of charges and concerns of evidence destruction. Han's side, appearing in court in a wheelchair, argued that there was no reason for arrest, citing health issues and disinterest in domestic politics, but the court accepted the special prosecutor's argument.
Han is accused of giving 100 million won in political funds to Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, in January 2022, ahead of the 20th presidential election, requesting government-level support for the Unification Church. In the same year, he is also accused of conspiring with former Unification Church World Headquarters Director Yoon Young-ho to deliver luxury bags to Kim Geon-hee through Jeon Seong-bae, known as Geonjin Beopsa, to solicit church-related issues.
Additionally, he is accused of purchasing necklaces and other items to be delivered to Kim with church funds and instructing former Director Yoon to destroy evidence in preparation for a police investigation related to past gambling allegations.
Han did not comply with three prior special prosecutor summonses but voluntarily appeared on the 17th. However, it is known that he denied most of the charges during the investigation.
With the issuance of the arrest warrant, it is expected that the investigation related to the necklaces and other items delivered to Kim will gain momentum.
However, the arrest warrant for former Secretary Jeong was dismissed.
The court stated the reason for dismissal as "There is a strong suspicion that he may be an accomplice in the main joint criminal acts," but "considering the decision-making process and decision-makers related to the charges, the specific content of the crime, and the executors, it is difficult to conclude that he is sufficiently proven to be an accomplice."
Also, "In the case of individual crimes, considering the purpose of the funds and the intended final recipient, there is room for dispute regarding the culpability or degree of responsibility of the suspect," and "Considering the possibility of excessively restricting the right to defense if detained at this stage, it is difficult to recognize the necessity or appropriateness of detention."
 





scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter