Alleged Attempt to Influence Witness Statements

Allegations and denial as case against Hak Ja Han takes a new turn in latest hearing 10th March: Witness claims attempt to influence testimony

South Korean MBC News and several other news outlets reported on 10^th March on a high-profile court case involving the leadership of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – also known as the Unification Church. The trial has drawn significant public and media attention and centers on Hak Ja Han – also called Mother Han – the religious movement’s current leader. She is facing multiple legal charges, including alleged violations of South Korea’s Political Funds Act.

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During the proceedings, testimony from a former senior Federation official has raised new allegations about possible attempts to influence witness statements. The Family Federation, however, strongly denies these claims and maintains that they are unfounded.

MBC News reports that the controversy emerged during a court hearing on 10^th March 2026, at the Seoul Central District Court, where Yoon Yeong-ho (윤영호), a former headquarters director of the religious organization, appeared as a witness in Hak Ja Han’s trial. At the start of his testimony, Yoon stated that he wanted to first address what he described as an important matter concerning “the actual (factual) truth” of the case. According to his statement in court, he received several messages between 7^th and 20^th September 2025, from individuals connected to Mother Han.

Yoon claimed that these messages conveyed personal remarks attributed to Mother Han. According to his account, she expressed sentiments such as, “I have never abandoned you,” and suggested that it had been wrong for the Federation to distance itself from him previously. She also reportedly stated that if he were willing to return despite the difficulties he was facing, he would be welcomed back unconditionally.

However, Yoon testified that these messages were accompanied by a request. He said he was asked to prepare a written statement asserting that Mother Han had not ordered any unlawful acts. The proposed wording, according to Yoon’s testimony, would indicate that although Mother Han may have been informed about certain activities and approved them, she had not directly instructed anyone to carry out wrongdoing.

According to the MBC News article, Yoon further alleged that in exchange for writing such a statement, several forms of assistance were suggested. These included withdrawing a legal complaint that had been filed against his spouse, restoring his membership and position within the religious organization after he had been expelled, and providing financial support, including covering legal expenses.

The background to this testimony involves a broader investigation in South Korea concerning allegations of political influence and improper lobbying. Yoon had previously been questioned by a special prosecutor’s team investigating claims that expensive gifts were delivered to Kim Keon-hee (김건희), the wife of former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열), as part of efforts to gain favorable treatment for the religious organization. During that earlier investigation, Yoon Yeong-ho reportedly stated that the actions in question had been carried out under instructions from the Family Federation’s leadership. That claim contributed to the investigation expanding to examine possible responsibility at higher levels of the organization.

The Family Federation has firmly rejected Yoon’s latest allegations. In response to the testimony reported in the media, Federation representatives stated that Mother Han had never attempted to persuade Yoon to give favorable testimony. They described his claims as inaccurate and said that they intend to challenge them during cross-examination in court.

In an official statement 11^th March, the Culture and Public Relations Office (문화홍보국) of the Family Federation in South Korea, points out,

“We ask that the following be taken into consideration in reporting, as claims appearing in some media reports stating that ‘President Hak Ja Han attempted to persuade someone to provide favorable testimony’ are not true.

The President did not attempt to persuade former headquarters director Yoon Yeong-ho to provide favorable testimony.

Yoon Yeong-ho’s incorrect claims will be corrected through cross-examination.

Reporting that presents information in a definitive manner despite being inconsistent with the facts constitutes a serious issue that can severely damage the reputation of this federation. We therefore request that reporting be conducted fairly and objectively, based on thorough factchecking.”

As the legal proceedings continue, the court will evaluate the credibility of the testimony and the evidence presented by both sides. The case has become a significant topic in South Korea because it combines issues of religion, politics, and legal accountability, and its outcome may certainly influence public perceptions of the Family Federation and its leadership.

See also Trump Adviser’s Praise for Mother Han Noticed

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See also Update on Trial Proceedings of Mother Han (83)

See also Religion, Politics, and Money at Center of Trial

See also More Humanity Even in A Communist Prison?

See also Indictment Language Challenged by Defense

See also Return to Custody as Court Rejects Health Plea

See also Global Clergy Visit Detained Mother Han

Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Mother Han (left) and Yoon Yeong-ho. The image of Mother Han is showing how she may well appear now, illustrated by Grok xAI, 21st February 2026. The image of Yoon is a screenshot from a FFWPU transmission in August 2020.

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