Category World News

The request was made on Thursday, one day after Kim Keon-hee and Kweon Seong-dong were questioned about her alleged involvement in the bribing.

The accusations come as a result of a search for Kim’s and her husband, former president Yoon Suk-yeol, who was ordered to resign from power last year after enforcing martial law.

According to prosecutor Park Sang-jin, “We have requested an arrest warrant for Han today.” “She is facing charges of embezzlement, conspiracy to defraud, and incitement to destroy evidence,” she says.

We sought the warrant because we thought the risk of Han tampering with the evidence was very high.

The Unification Church criticized Han’s detention, insisting that she doesn’t pose a flight risk or threaten to destroy evidence, and that she has cooperated despite her health issues.

The Unification Church, which was established in 1954 by Han’s late husband, has long drawn controversy and criticism.

Fans are referred to disparagingly as “Moonies” because they still have a cult-like culture. The church organizes mass weddings in accordance with Moon’s role as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The church’s activities range from food distribution to media and tourism. Han assumed leadership after Moon passed away in 2012.

In order to win Kim over, Han is suspected of ordering the delivery of expensive presents, including a handbag and a diamond necklace, in 2022 in order to win her husband, who was elected president that year.

Kim was detained and charged with bribery and stock market manipulation last month. The allegations are refuted by her attorneys. Her husband, who is also in custody, is facing a trial for his brief declaration of martial law in December.

Before being overturned by opposition lawmakers, Yoon’s declaration of martial law temporarily suspended civilian rule.

In April, Yoon was impeached and fired from office as a result of the attempt.

Han is also accused of paying Kim Jong-un 100,000,000 won ($72, 000) in bribes.

Kweon was subject to an arrest warrant in Seoul on Tuesday because there was a chance that he might tamper with evidence.

Han, who was detained for almost ten hours on Wednesday, disputed her claims that she was responsible for the alleged bribes and blamed a former church official who has since been detained.

According to a study, Russia and North Korea have a lopsided agreement, with Moscow receiving far more support for its conflict in Ukraine than Pyongyang’s.

According to a report released by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation on Thursday, North Korea has been providing Russia with up to $ 9.8 billion in weapons and fighters since 2023, according to Unequal Partnership. The gains made by Pyongyang could be as little as $457 million to $1.19 billion, according to estimates.

The study examines North Korea’s and Russia’s growing military ties. The pair’s landmark mutual defense pact, which raised questions in the West, was signed last year.

However, the report notes that relations have “taken on a distinctly asymmetric character,” despite the fact that it also mentions the “remarkable momentum” of them.

Millions of artillery shells, rockets, and mortar rounds have been shipped by North Korea, as well as hundreds of artillery launchers and systems. Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, reportedly contributed about 15, 000 soldiers to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the report.

Russia has only provided a small amount of aid, mostly consisting of food, fuel, air defense systems, and possibly some fighter jets.

Financial transactions appear largely locked within the Russian banking system, according to the report, which finds no significant inflows of hard currency into North Korea.

The foundation claimed that Pyongyang’s strategic gains come from closer alignment with a permanent member of the UN Security Council, as well as from closer economic reliance on its weapons.

The partnership poses a growing security risk, according to the study. It calls for more stringent regulations on dual-use technology, closer cooperation with South Korea and Japan, closing energy gaps, and strengthening diplomatic ties with Pyongyang.

Although it’s not known how many North Korean soldiers died in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, South Korean newspaper NK News reports that about 2, 000 North Korean soldiers have died so far.

The North Korean leader met with the families of dead soldiers last month, offering condolences for their “unforgettable pain” and promising the bereaved “a beautiful life,” according to state media.

Since Kim and Vladimir Putin signed the military alliance in 2024, Kim and Putin have experienced significant increases in ties.