Unification Church leader arrested

The Unification Church leader was arrested yesterday in South Korea over allegations of bribery linked to a former first lady, including luxury gifts, prosecutors said.

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“The Seoul Central District Court issued the warrant on the ground she poses the risk of tampering with evidence,’ the prosecution said in a statement.

Han Hak-ja, 82, was questioned last week over her alleged role in bribing former first lady Kim Keon-hee and a prominent lawmaker. Prosecutors sought her arrest a day later.

‘After the warrant was issued, Ms Han was remanded in custody at the Seoul Detention Centre.

The Unification Church was founded in 1954 by Ms Han’s late husband Moon Sun-myung and has long been the subject of controversy.

Moon claimed to be the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, while the church has a cult-like culture and its followers are derisively referred to as “Moonies”.