South Korea Court Sentences Unification Church Leader to Jail in Political Influence Case
The court found she used luxury gifts and cash to seek political favors, and related convictions also led to prison terms for other church officials.
- 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.
96 Articles
96 Articles
According to the judge, Hak Ja Han bribed the wife of the deposed South Korean President Yoon and embezzled church funds.
Han Hak-ja, widow of the founder of the Unification Church, was accused of trying to influence the government of Yoon Suk-yeol, the former president who decreed martial law
Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han gets two years in Kim Keon Hee bribery case
South Korean judges sentenced Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han to two years for bribery and corruption linked to Kim Keon Hee. The ruling deepens the legal fallout from Yoon Suk Yeol's presidency as the church vows to appeal.
South Korea's Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han sentenced to 2 years for corruption
A court in Seoul, South Korea, has sentenced Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han to two years in prison. The Seoul Central District Court on Monday issued the ruling against Han, who was earlier charged with bribery and other corruption…
Hak Ja Han, head of the South Korean Association Church, has been convicted of corruption and bribery. She is the widow of the controversial cult founder.
South Korean court sentences Unification Church leader to 2 years in prison
SEOUL — A court in South Korea has sentenced the leader of the secretive Unification Church to two years in prison on charges of bribing officials, including the president’s wife.The Seoul Central District Court on Monday issued the ruling against Han Hak-ja, 83, who was earlier charged with bribery and other corruption allegations, the Yonhap news agency reported.Han, widow of the church's founder Sun Myung Moon, was accused of providing luxury…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
