Unification Church leader questioned about alleged bribery of South Korea's former first lady

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The leader of the Unification Church was questioned by investigators on Wednesday over allegations that the church bribed the wife of South Korea's jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol and a conservative lawmaker close to him in an effort to secure business favors.

Hak Ja Han, the widow of church founder Sun Myung Moon, appeared before a special prosecutor just hours after a Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for the lawmaker, People Power Party’s Kweon Seong-dong, citing concerns he might destroy evidence.

Han and her church have denied accusations that the church was directly involved in the alleged bribery of Yoon’s now-arrested wife, Kim Keon Hee, who is suspected of receiving luxury gifts from a jailed former church official, saying the official had overstepped his authority and acted on his own. Kweon, a staunch loyalist of Yoon, has also denied receiving money from the church.

“Later, later,” Han told reporters who pressed her about the allegations, as associates supported her while she walked to the investigators’ office. “Let’s discuss this all later when we meet.”

Han’s appearance came after she refused to comply with three previous summons by investigators, citing health reasons following a heart procedure earlier this month. The team led by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki, investigating suspicions that the church tried to leverage Kim’s influence while pursuing various business interests, including a development project in Cambodia, has not specified whether it would seek Han’s arrest.

South Korea’s liberal-led legislature passed a motion on Thursday to lift Kweon’s immunity to arrest. Yoon, who was removed from office in April and re-arrested in July, has been indicted on rebellion and other charges over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December.

Han is the top leader of the church, which is reported to have a global membership of millions. The church was founded in 1954 by her husband, Moon, a self-proclaimed messiah and anti-communist who preached new interpretations of the Bible alongside conservative, family-oriented values.

The church is perhaps best known for its mass weddings, which often pair couples from different countries and renew the vows of those already married, typically held in stadiums and gymnasiums.

The church, which formally calls itself the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, said in a statement that Han was still recovering from a procedure on Sept. 4 but appeared for questioning out of respect for “the law and legal procedures.”

Kim, Yoon’s wife, was jailed and indicted last month over various criminal allegations, including claims that she received luxury gifts via a fortuneteller acting as an intermediary for the Unification Church official, and possible involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme tied to a local BMW dealership company.

Investigators also suspect that Kim and Yoon exerted undue influence on the conservative People Power Party to nominate a specific candidate in a 2022 legislative by-election, allegedly at the request of election broker Myung Tae-kyun. Myung faces accusations of conducting free opinion surveys for Yoon using manipulated data that possibly helped him win the party’s presidential primaries before his election as president.

The investigation into Kim is one of three special prosecutor probes launched under Seoul’s new liberal government targeting the presidency of Yoon.

Dozens of people have been arrested or investigated over Yoon’s martial law debacle, corruption allegations involving his wife, and other controversies from his three years in office, including an alleged cover-up of a marine’s drowning death during a 2023 flood rescue operation.

Key suspects include former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who has been accused of planning martial law with Yoon and sending troops to the National Assembly in an unsuccessful attempt to block lawmakers from voting to lift it.

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Yoon’s No. 2, avoided arrest but was indicted for abetting Yoon’s imposition of martial law as well as falsifying and destroying official documents, and lying under oath. More than 60 people were separately indicted for rioting at a Seoul court, which issued the warrant for Yoon’s first arrest in January.

Hak Ja Han, center, the leader of South Korea's Unification Church, is questioned by reporters upon arrival at a special prosecutor's office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Hak Ja Han, the leader of South Korea's Unification Church, arrives at a special prosecutor's office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Hak Ja Han, center, the leader of South Korea's Unification Church, arrives at a special prosecutor's office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Hak Ja Han, center, the leader of South Korea's Unification Church, arrives at a special prosecutor's office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Hak Ja Han, center, the leader of South Korea's Unification Church, arrives at a special prosecutor's office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles need a new offensive coordinator.

Ask most fans, commentators — and, privately, some players — and the change from Kevin Patullo was inevitable long before Philadelphia actually made the move this week in the wake of a playoff loss.

There's a “help wanted” sign for the new boss of an offense — one loaded with elite talent such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — that fell way short as the Eagles failed in their bid to win consecutive Super Bowl titles.

Coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman were vague on details Thursday about why they waited until the end of the season to make the move — the Eagles ranked 24th in yards per game (311) and 19th in points per game (19.3) — and less clear on what they wanted out of a new coordinator.

“You’re looking to continue to evolve as an offense, and I’m looking to bring in the guy that’s going to best help us do that,” Sirianni said. “I think that there are many different ways to be successful on offense and everybody has different styles, everybody has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful.”

The Eagles have plenty of credible candidates to choose from — everyone from Josh McCown and Cam Turner to former NFL coaches Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury. The new OC could have complete autonomy to run the offense, though collaboration has been key under Sirianni.

No matter the coordinator, the Eagles expect to be contenders again after playing in two of the last four Super Bowls. Just winning an NFC East title doesn't cut it these days in Philly.

“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our heads, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know that we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl.”

Two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson has built a Hall of Fame-level career and won two Super Bowls since the Eagles made him a 2013 first-round pick.

Retirement talk was a hot topic for most of the season.

Johnson turns 36 in May and did not play after Week 11 because of a foot injury. He did not talk to the media this week when the Eagles cleaned out their lockers.

Roseman kept private his conversation with Johnson about retirement. Johnson reworked his contract last May and is signed through 2027.

“You're talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level,” Roseman said.

Brown is likely staying put.

While he isn't shy about airing his grievances, the wide receiver is often worth the distractions because of his production.

Just not this season.

Brown had 78 receptions (down from 106 in 2023) for 1,003 yards (he had 1,496 in 2022) and only five 100-yard games. Of course, some of that dip in production resulted from how he was used in Patullo's offense. The changes ahead are one reason why the Eagles are in no rush to give up on the 28-year star — along with the $43 million dead salary cap hit they'd take if Brown wasn't on the roster.

“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency and in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. I think that would be my answer.”

Special teams coach Michael Clay had a virtual interview Thursday for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sirianni also hasn't ruled out Patullo staying on the staff in a different role.

“I know Kevin’s going to have other opportunities, and obviously always want what’s best for Kevin and for his family, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Sirianni said.

Patullo could want a fresh start after his house was egged earlier this season and one area indoor golf establishment let fans hit golf balls into a photo of his face after the playoff loss.

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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, looks over as head coach Nick Sirianni, right, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, right, and executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)