- Han Hak Ja, leader of the Unification Church, was sentenced to two years in prison by a Seoul court for bribery charges.
- The court found that Han had given luxury goods to former First Lady Kim Keon Hee in exchange for political favors.
- Han was also charged with giving 100 million won (approximately $73,000) to conservative lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong before President Yoon's inauguration.
- A special prosecutor had requested a 13-year prison term for Han prior to the sentencing.
- Han's lawyers have announced plans to appeal the court's decision, with both sides having one week to do so.
- Han Hak Ja is the widow of church founder Sun Myung Moon and has denied the allegations against her.
- In January, former First Lady Kim Keon Hee received a 20-month prison term for her involvement in the bribery case.
- An appeals court later increased Kim's sentence to four years for additional charges.
Hak Ja Han, leader of the Unification Church, was sentenced to two years in prison by a Seoul court for bribery involving former First Lady Kim Keon Hee. Han was found guilty of providing luxury gifts, including a designer handbag, to Kim in exchange for political favors.12
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Han violated political funding laws and embezzled church funds. Her lawyers have announced plans to appeal the decision, which also implicated other church officials, with one receiving a six-month prison term and two others receiving suspended sentences.56
Han, aged 83 and widow of church founder Sun Myung Moon, denied the allegations, claiming she did not pass gifts to Kim through an intermediary. The court's ruling follows a broader investigation into corruption linked to the Unification Church, which has faced scrutiny for its political connections.78
In January, Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting gifts from the church, with an appeals court later increasing her sentence to four years for additional charges. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the intersection of religion and politics in South Korea, particularly regarding the influence of the Unification Church.10
Both Han and the prosecution have one week to file an appeal, as the legal battle continues over the church's controversial practices and its leaders' actions.
“Han, widow of church founder Sun Myung Moon, was convicted of violating political funds acts, bribery, and embezzling church funds. The special prosecutor had sought 13 years, and Han's lawyers have already announced an appeal within the one-week window.”
dw.com
BBC
