SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors requested an arrest warrant on Thursday for the leader of the Unification Church, Han Hak ja, on allegations of bribery linked to a former first lady and incitement to destroy evidence.
The move came a day after the 82-year-old was questioned over her alleged role in bribing former first lady Kim Keon Hee and a prominent lawmaker.
The Unification Church was founded in 1954 by Han's late husband Moon Sun-myung and has long been the subject of controversy and criticism, with its teachings centred on Moon's role as the Second Coming, its mass weddings and a cult-like culture.
Followers are derisively referred to as 'Moonies'. The church's reach extends far beyond religion, spanning businesses from media and tourism to food distribution.
Han assumed leadership of the church after Moon's death in 2012.
"We have requested an arrest warrant for Han earlier today," prosecutor Park Sang-jin said. - AFP
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