Seoul Court Sentences Unification Church Leader Hak Ja Han to 2 Years in Prison
Prosecutors said Han sought influence for the church through gifts and illegal payments, and they asked for a 13-year prison term.
- On Monday, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to two years in prison for bribery and violating the Political Funds Act.
- Prosecutors alleged Han provided luxury gifts, including a Chanel bag, to then first lady Kim Keon Hee in July 2022 while requesting favors for the church via an intermediary.
- Han denied the allegations, claiming former church official Yun Young-ho acted independently; separately, the Supreme Court in July stripped Kweon of his parliamentary seat after upholding his conviction for accepting illegal funds.
- Special counsel Min Joong-ki had sought a 13-year prison term for the 83-year-old leader, arguing the case constituted a direct violation of the constitutional separation of religion and politics.
- The prosecution claimed the Unification Church sought to influence the administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol; Han remains the widow of the church's founder, Sun Myung Moon.
33 Articles
33 Articles
South Korea court finds Unification Church leader Han guilty
조선일보
한겨레The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Unification Church President Han Hak-ja to two years in prison on charges of collusion between religion and politics. The court found President Han and other related parties guilty of providing illegal political funds to former lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong, splitting donations to People Power Party lawmakers, and delivering money and valuables to Mrs. Kim Kun-hee in the name of solicitation, and handed down…
Delivering 100 million won to Kwon Seong-dong and a necklace to Kim Kun-hee… Special Counsel seeks 13-year prison sentence. The first-instance verdict for Unification Church President Han Hak-ja, indicted on charges of 'collusion between politics and religion' with the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, will be announced on the 31st. The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 27 (Presiding Judge Woo In-seong) will...
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Seung-yeon = The first-instance sentencing of Unification Church President Han Hak-ja, who was indicted on charges of 'collusion between politics and religion' with the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, will take place next week.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
