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

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