Police investigating allegations of political lobbying by the Unification Church summoned a church official for questioning on Saturday.
The National Police Agency's special investigation team called in the official, identified only as "A," as a witness for questioning on Saturday afternoon.
The individual is known to be a close aide who worked in the secretariat of Han Hak-ja, leader of the Unification Church.
Earlier that morning, police visited Seoul Detention Center and conducted an interview with Han, who is currently in custody, for approximately three hours.
Police are reported to have questioned Han about the credibility of statements made by Yoon Young-ho, former head of the church's global headquarters. Yoon reportedly testified that he had informed Han about the process of delivering money and gifts to lawmakers, including Rep. Jeon Jae-su and former Reps. Lim Jong-seong and Kim Kyu-hwan, between 2018 and 2020.
Investigators also questioned Han about whether approximately 28 billion won ($20 million) in cash bundles reportedly found in her personal safe were used for lobbying political figures.
Based on testimony from Yoon, whom police consider a key figure in the case, investigators suspect Han was the final decision-maker responsible for the alleged bribery.
On January 15, the special investigation team conducted extensive raids on 10 locations, including the Unification Church's Cheongjeong Palace in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, the church's Seoul headquarters in Yongsan District, and the detention cells of both Han and Yoon at Seoul Detention Center.
Through the searches, police discovered documents including congratulatory messages related to church events. However, the whereabouts of cash and a Bulgari watch allegedly given to a former minister remain unknown.
