Unification Church leader denies directing political bribery in South Korea

1/9/2025 12:39

The head of South Korea's Unification Church has denied that she directed the group to bribe a former First Lady and a politician close to ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, as the church comes under the spotlight in a criminal probe into Yoon and his wife.



Special prosecutors indicted former First Lady Kim Keon Hee for bribery and other charges on Friday, amid a widening probe into the country's martial law crisis and scandals involving the once powerful couple.



Kim is also accused of receiving bribes worth 80 million won that include two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace from an official at the Unification Church in return for using her influence to help its business interests.



Kweon Seong-dong, a veteran politician close to former President Yoon, has been investigated over allegations that he received illicit political funds from the church official. Kweon has denied the allegations.



"I take this opportunity to state this clearly: I have never directed any illegal political favours or financial transactions," she said in her first direct address related to the investigation.



Kim's lawyers have also denied the allegations against her, including over her receiving gifts.